Circular Polarizer Demo

If you remember at two years ago, I posted up a circular polarizer demo article. Today I will show you some more examples of why you should use a circular polarizer, but I most likely will be copying some text I wrote in the last article as there is no point typing the same content up twice. HAHA If you want to see the last post, you can do so here.

The sample photos with the polarizer shown today was taken using the B+W 82mm XS-Pro Kaesemann Circular Polarizer with Multi-Resistant Nano Coating. First off, let me tell you why a circular polarizer is good. First of all, if you love landscape photos, you have to get one, a circular polarizer helps contrast the colors and deepen the blue sky. Using a circular polarizer can also help get rid of glare from water, glass, leaves (what I'm showing you today), etc... A polarizer will also protect your lens from the elements like fingerprints, scratches, and water. It is a good idea to use a filter. I have also read online that a filter saved his L model lens from a fall! Definitely worth the investment because $100 < $5,000. LOL

If you are serious about photography like me, I recommend you not get the cheap ones because they cause unwanted glares in your photos and the polarizing effect isn't good. The ones I have are a B+W 58mm Kaesemann Circular Polarizer and a B+W 82mm XS-Pro Kaesemann Circular Polarizer with Multi-Resistant Nano Coating. They are German made filters, and includes special nano-technology coating that causes water that collect on there to drip right off. There is also little vignetting at wider angles. However, this filter is pretty expensive, but most good ones are. The 58mm one cost me around $100 and the 82mm one cost me around $250 (still worth it for the great German optics).

If you don't know much about polarizers, you will find two types of polarizers. One type is the linear polarizer and one type is the circular polarizer. The linear polarizers will have a slightly better polarizing effect than circular polarizers, but will render your auto focus function useless as the polarizer will prevent the auto focus sensor from seeing light. Linear polarizers are usually cheaper than circular polarizers. Circular polarizers won't effect the auto focus sensor and is what most people use. Circular polarizers are more expensive.

The only down sides to using a circular polarizer (like with all filters) is that since filters is suppose to filter out the light, it will also slow down your shutter speed and the time of day it will work the test (due to the sun) is slightly limiting. If the shutter speed gets too slow, make sure you have your camera on a tripod.

Alright, let's move onto the sample photos I took. All these photos were taken on my road trip traveling from the SF Bay Area to Vancouver, BC, Canada. If you want to see my trip photos, you can do so here. Please note some of the "non-polarized" shots still had the polarizer on, but it was rotated to not have a polarizing effect on the image as taking off the filter is a bit of a hassle.

A non-polarized shot at Eureka, CA. 

Here is a polarized shot. As you can see some of the glare from the water has been removed. 

Here is a non-polarized shot from Wheeler, Oregon from the deck of the Wheeler On The Bay Lodge. 

Here is a polarized shot. As you can see the glare from the window is minimized. 

Here is a non-polarized shot from Government House in Victoria, BC, Canada. 

Here is a polarized shot. As you can see the reflection from the glass is minimized.

Also, the circular polarizer can help make your photos more saturated. This photo is shot at Reflection Lake inside Mount Rainier National Park in Washington. Without a polarizer, this photo would not be as colorful. 

This is all the sample photos I got. Remember the filters I have is a  B+W 58mm Kaesemann Circular Polarizer  and a B+W 82mm XS-Pro Kaesemann Circular Polarizer with Multi-Resistant Nano Coating. If you are going to buy it, please buy it through my link. :) I get referral money that way and you'll be supporting the costs of running this blog. Even if you don't, please click in to check it out. I understand this filter might be a bit expensive for a lot of people, there are cheaper filters out there, but I don't recommend those. Also, when purchasing, don't forget to check if you got the right size filter!

Thanks for looking at this demo. I hope you have enjoyed it. If you haven't seen my past sample photos taken with circular polarizers, you can do so here. Please don't forget to share the blog post with your friends and family members! Also, if you want to get notifications when I post up more photos, "Like" us on Facebook or follow me on Twitter and Instagram. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.

Seagulls & Scenery - Victoria, BC (Part 2) - The Forgotten Post

From 7/17/2013 to 8/2/2013, I took a road trip from the SF Bay Area to Vancouver, BC, Canada. Half of the trip was spent driving up the west coast. On my trip, I visited many famous places such as Seattle, Butchart Gardens, Mount Rainier, and much more. Obviously I got many coastal shots and many places that isn't as famous. The reason I am posting it now is because the high amount of photos I took equaled a high amount of processing time. I took a bit over 2000 photos on the trip. After stitching the panoramas, compositing the HDRs, and picking out photos from the repeats, I have a bit over 1000 photos to show you guys. The photos will be split into parts. I will link you to the previous and next parts on each post just like I did with my Death Valley National Park photos and my Yellowstone/Grand Teton National Park photos. Hope you enjoy viewing this chain of posts!

Full Resolution Photos and Prints: If you want to see full resolution photos or buy prints of any of the photos you see, they are up on my portfolio for viewing. To view my best day time Victoria photos from this trip, use this link. To view all of my day 5 photos, use this link.

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When I was posting the Victoria series of photos, I left out 23 photos. Here today, I'm posting those photos I missed. As I was batch writing my blog posts before leaving for China back then, these 23 photos must have slipped through as I was working long and hard typing out all the posts before I have to head on the airplane. So here it is, 23 photos from Victoria, BC. This is the REAL part 2. Had to shift all the numbers on the trailing posts as they were wrong. Anyways, the photos for today are some photos from Clover Point, King George Terrace, Beach Drive, and Camosun College.

 First off is a photo from Clover Point. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 48 24 12 N 123 20 54 W 

Black and white process of the photo above.  

 Another photo of Clover Point. 

Now I move on to photographing the seagulls at Clover Point.  

 Black and white process of the photo above.  

Black and white process of the photo above.   

A seagull stretching out.  

Black and white process of the photo above.   

 Another photo of the seagull stretching out. 

A photo from King George Terrace. 

 Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 48 24 28 N 123 19 10 W 

Black and white process of the photo above.    

Another photo from King George Terrace shot at a slightly different angle. 

 Black and white process of the photo above.    

Here is a photo from Beach Drive. 

 Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 48 25 22 N 123 18 04 W 

Boats docked at the docks of Beach Drive. 

 Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 48 25 29 N 123 18 05 W 

Another photo from Beach Drive.  

 Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 48 25 30 N 123 18 02 W 

Took a wrong turn while going to Craigdarroch Castle. Ended up photographing a shot at Camosun College. 

 Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 48 26 53 N 123 19 18 W 

These are all the photos for today. Sorry that I forgot to post it when I did the Victoria series! I hope you have enjoyed viewing them. Please don't forget to share the blog post with your friends and family members! Also, if you want to get notifications when I post up more photos, "Like" us on Facebook or follow me on Twitter and Google+. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.

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Peace Arch Park/Border Crossing (Part 2)

From 7/17/2013 to 8/2/2013, I took a road trip from the SF Bay Area to Vancouver, BC, Canada. Half of the trip was spent driving up the west coast. On my trip, I visited many famous places such as Seattle, Butchart Gardens, Mount Rainier, and much more. Obviously I got many coastal shots and many places that isn't as famous. The reason I am posting it now is because the high amount of photos I took equaled a high amount of processing time. I took a bit over 2000 photos on the trip. After stitching the panoramas, compositing the HDRs, and picking out photos from the repeats, I have a bit over 1000 photos to show you guys. The photos will be split into parts. I will link you to the previous and next parts on each post just like I did with my Death Valley National Park photos and my Yellowstone/Grand Teton National Park photos. Hope you enjoy viewing this chain of posts!

Full Resolution Photos and Prints: If you want to see full resolution photos or buy prints of any of the photos you see, they are up on my portfolio for viewing. To view my best Peace Arch Border Crossing photos, use this link. To view all of my day 11 photos, use this link.

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Today I finish the rest of my photos from Peace Arch Border Crossing between Surrey, BC and Blaine, WA. The photos from Peace Arch are split into 2 parts. At Peace Arch Park, you are free to walk between the 2 countries. No restrictions, but the area is patrolled by quite a lot of border agents. One of the officers on the US side actually came to have a chat with us at the parking lot after I was done with my photos. He was very friendly about it and finished up the chat in around a minute.

Message from the Photographer: Happy Valentine's Day! :) Hope you all have a nice day.

This was one of the most confusing things I had to deal with while in Canada. My parents and I have no concept what km/h is. LOL

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 00 09 N 122 45 21 W   

The sign for Peace Arch Park on Canada's side. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 00 11 N 122 45 23 W   

The park and the flowers. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 00 11 N 122 45 22 W   

Cars lining up to go to Canada. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 00 12 N 122 45 24 W

Another photo of the cars lining up to go to Canada. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 00 14 N 122 45 24 W   

Here is a photo on Canada's side (obviously) of flowers planted into a Canadian flag. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 00 12 N 122 45 26 W   

Here is the arch marking the border. I am standing on the Canada side for this shot. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 00 11 N 122 45 25 W   

Here is another photo of the arch marking the border. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 00 11 N 122 45 25 W

Right under the arch now. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 00 08 N 122 45 24 W   

Here is the next on the other side of the arch. 

Here is Canada's border marker. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 00 08 N 122 45 22 W

Here is the arch from the US side. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 00 07 N 122 45 24 W   

Here is the sign welcoming visitors to the US. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 00 07 N 122 45 25 W   

The USA/Canada border marker at the train tracks. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 00 07 N 122 45 26 W

US Port of Entry. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 00 06 N 122 45 24 W   

Another photo of the arch from the US side. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 00 06 N 122 45 23 W   

Just like on the Canada side, the US has planted flowers into the American flag. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 00 05 N 122 45 22 W   

These are all the photos for today. I hope you have enjoyed viewing them. Next time I will continue with photos from Future of Flight at the Boeing museum. Please don't forget to share the blog post with your friends and family members! Also, if you want to get notifications when I post up more photos, "Like" us on Facebook or follow me on Twitter and Instagram. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.

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White Rock, BC and Peace Arch Park/Border Crossing (Part 1)

From 7/17/2013 to 8/2/2013, I took a road trip from the SF Bay Area to Vancouver, BC, Canada. Half of the trip was spent driving up the west coast. On my trip, I visited many famous places such as Seattle, Butchart Gardens, Mount Rainier, and much more. Obviously I got many coastal shots and many places that isn't as famous. The reason I am posting it now is because the high amount of photos I took equaled a high amount of processing time. I took a bit over 2000 photos on the trip. After stitching the panoramas, compositing the HDRs, and picking out photos from the repeats, I have a bit over 1000 photos to show you guys. The photos will be split into parts. I will link you to the previous and next parts on each post just like I did with my Death Valley National Park photos and my Yellowstone/Grand Teton National Park photos. Hope you enjoy viewing this chain of posts!

Full Resolution Photos and Prints: If you want to see full resolution photos or buy prints of any of the photos you see, they are up on my portfolio for viewing. To view my best White Rock photos from this trip, use this link. To view my best Peace Arch Border Crossing photos, use this link. To view all of my day 11 photos, use this link.

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Today I end my Canada trip photos and head back to the states. The photos are from White Rock, BC, Surrey, BC, and Peace Arch Border Crossing between Surrey, BC and Blaine, WA. The photos from Peace Arch will be split into 2 parts. At Peace Arch Park, you are free to walk between the 2 countries. No restrictions, but the area is patrolled by quite a lot of border agents. One of the officers on the US side actually came to have a chat with us at the parking lot after I was done with my photos. He was very friendly about it and finished up the chat in around a minute.

I first start off with a well a practical prank that I almost left at the hotel I was staying at. XD I somehow got paranoid that I'm gonna get stopped at the border crossing so I crumpled it up and threw it in the trash. Was very tempted to leave this for the hotel staff. LOL This was shot at Best Western Plus Abercorn Inn in Richmond, BC. I know it is a bit racist, but it's a joke. I make fun of all races, including Asian stereotypes. 

I arrive at White Rock, BC. What you are looking at is a railroad track and the White Rock Pier.  

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 01 16 N 122 48 23 W  

Another photo of the White Rock Pier. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 01 16 N 122 48 21 W   

 The view of White Rock from the pier. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 01 15 N 122 48 21 W

Still on the White Rock Pier. Off in the distance is a white rock hence the city's name. I will get up close to that later in the post. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 01 11 N 122 48 21 W   

Another view from the pier of White Rock. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 01 01 N 122 48 20 W   

Here is a photo of the white rock. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 01 11 N 122 48 09 W   

Another photo of the White Rock Pier from near the white rock. Photo shot from same location as above. 

 Black and white process of the photo above.

A shot from Surrey, BC. Approaching the border crossing. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 00 25 N 122 45 51 W    

Now at the Peace Arch border crossing. Here is a sign of a duty free store on Canada's side. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 00 27 N 122 45 28 W   

Still on the Canada side. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 00 14 N 122 45 28 W

The sign showing the different routes for different purposes. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 00 05 N 122 45 23 W   

A view at the border crossing from Canada's side. Same location as above. 

Getting ready to cross into the US. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 00 03 N 122 45 21 W

After I crossed the border, I drove to the parking lot for Peace Arch Park on the US side and parked the car. I then walked into the park and started taking photos from both countries. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 00 05 N 122 45 18 W   

Here is a border marker inside the park. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google) according to the Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver: 49 00 08 N 122 44 21 W   

Talking about the peace and agreement between the 2 countries. Wasn't enough of a distance for the GPS to register a new location. What you are seeing is the rock behind the border marker from the photo above. 

These are all the photos for today. I hope you have enjoyed viewing them. Next time I will continue with the rest of my photos from Peace Arch Border Crossing. Please don't forget to share the blog post with your friends and family members! Also, if you want to get notifications when I post up more photos, "Like" us on Facebook or follow me on Twitter and Instagram. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.

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