How To Use Circular Polarizer Filters to Control Light Reflections on Cars

[@coreypage025]

One of the best CPL automotive videos out there! I used to cut all reflections until recently and this video has given me confidence on what im doing is correct 😀

[@capturingthemachine]

Nice, I'm glad it helped!

[@xxstr8jacketxx]

This is the only video of ever seen on a CPL that actually explains and depth I'm now looking at CPL's in a whole new light

[@capturingthemachine]

thanks so much, you made my day!

[@IgorHorvat]

Probably the best video about CPL filters! :)

[@capturingthemachine]

Wow, thanks, I really appreciate that!

[@phewis]

Thank you for making this video! I got less than 2 min. into the video when I herd you make the comment that I have always had in my head about using CPL to remove reflections. I may want to tone down the reflection on the body of a car or tone it down on a window, but I don't ever want to remove it completely. You are the first person to make this point about how they they can help accent the curves of a car.

[@capturingthemachine]

Thank you so much for this comment, I'm so glad that came across in the video!

[@lecoindupilote]

I just wanted to thank you for your videos. They are so helpful for an amateur like me. I am currently wondering what I want to do with my life, especially my job, and you are so inspiring. So thank you, and please keep producing this incredible work.

[@capturingthemachine]

Wow, thank you, I am so happy it's helpful! If there's ever a topic you want me to cover, feel free to ask away.

[@michaelq16000]

now this is the best tutorial for cpl filters i've seen in my life

[@capturingthemachine]

wow, thanks so much!

[@brianjordan8990]

Great video. I've never really thought about the "CPL sky". That makes a lot of sense. I will start looking for good reflections. I've always thought they were all bad, but your example made a lot of sense. This has got to be one of the best videos I've watched on CPLs.

[@capturingthemachine]

thank you! It's impossible to cover every possible scenario in a 9 minute video, but I'm glad I was able to shed some light on this subject and get you thinking.

[@PsybaTech71]

A great video showing examples of how not to use a cpl - as you say, dont always eliminate all reflections but rather use the cpl to tune the reflections. However, just for clarity, a cpl isnt made up of 2 pieces of glass. Rotating the cpl simply blocks light with a certain polarity or wave direction so that only the light that hits the sensor is all the one direction 😊

[@capturingthemachine]

You're totally right, this is one of those things where I *assumed* it was two panes of glass, and never questioned it, even though I researched the science and tried to get the basic physics of everything else correct. Thank you for pointing that out - your approach is the most polite and friendly way to correct someone, which I very much appreciate! Cheers, Cameron, and thanks for watching 👍

[@Baleur]

Thank you for this. Applies to drone photography too. I am new to most of this and also watched every other youtuber just say "POLARIZER IS MUST, REMOVE REFLECTIONS, BETTER FOOTAGE". But what they dont say is, especially when airborne, it darkens water to almost pitch black (since you remove the one thing that gives water color and beauty, reflections of the sky). Not to mention you eliminate rainbows, and in some cases cause the entire landscape to shift in saturation as you turn the camera.. I knew it wasnt as simple as they made it out to be.

[@capturingthemachine]

thanks so much, and great insight! I've never tried a polarizer on a drone before, but I recently used a tiny one on an Osmo Pocket 3

[@TancooMedia]

By far the best video I've seen on CPL's! Appreciate the nuance you approached it with.

[@capturingthemachine]

I appreciate that!!

[@TrashHeapCustodian]

not gonna lie, this is a much better presented case for how to use these than what I usually do which is "idk just mess with it till it looks good" :)

[@capturingthemachine]

thank you, I was really striving for that, I am so glad you enjoyed! 😄

[@mrbrakelol]

Another very informative video. The best CPL video I've seen... You don't use it as an ON/OFF switch for reflections, but a tool to dial in a specific look you want in the reflections... how an artist uses a tool

[@capturingthemachine]

Thanks so much! It was a big challenge to put this together, and it's so rewarding to see people appreciate the final video. 😊

[@samthetoolman8068]

Honestly the best video on Polarized filters I have ever seen

[@capturingthemachine]

thanks so much!

[@GabriCasas]

You deserve way more views and recognition. Your work is amazing: the videos are informative, straight to the point, well structured and cover aspects that pretty much can't be find anywhere else. Thank you for the fantastic work you put into this channel. I trully appreciate quality content like yours.

[@capturingthemachine]

Your comment made my day, thanks so much! More views and subs would always be nice, but feedback like this is the biggest motivator that keeps me excited to create videos for this channel.

[@droneviking]

best video on the use of CPLs I found so far, thank you!

[@capturingthemachine]

Wow, thanks, that means a lot!

[@petermcginty3636]

Thank you. Once I went to a car show on a sunny, super-bright day. Got some beautiful images of old cars, including the reflections of the next car! This video will help me in future car shows, thank you. 🎉🎉🎉

[@capturingthemachine]

Very cool!

[@kbmats]

FINALLY someone said it Best car photography resource in KZbin by far 👌🏻

[@capturingthemachine]

thank you!!

[@CHILLINWITH_LUKE_KEV]

Great video… This is the eighth video I’ve watched today trying to find an answer to exactly what you were talking about. You’re the first person to answer my question. Smashed the "like" button and definitely a new subscriber.

[@capturingthemachine]

Happy to hear it! What was the question?

[@headgames]

I’ve been binging your videos for the last week and learned a lot! Your delivery is awesome, I really relate with the honesty of your opinions. Thanks for sharing the knowledge!

[@capturingthemachine]

Thank you so much, I’m glad you found my channel!

[@juanjacobo96]

Best video ever I love how you artistically talk about the reflection and the life it brings to the photo

[@capturingthemachine]

Thank you so much!

[@onnorijpstra]

The best filter explanation video i have seen so far. Thank you.

[@capturingthemachine]

Wow, thanks - glad it helped!

[@erdwinpalacios9616]

Amazing video, one the best videos on how to use a CPL in automative photography!

[@capturingthemachine]

thanks so much!

[@petee19]

A very interesting video. I live in the U.K. and my hobby is buses, coaches etc, as you can imagine these can be difficult to photograph with the amount of glass present. I do use a rotating filter but sometimes I find as you have suggested that the resulting subject can look dull and flat.

[@capturingthemachine]

Thanks for watching! I can't imagine managing all that glass and flat surfaces, that must be a huge challenge, cheers!

[@MikinGarage]

Best video on CPL and has now gonna hep me insanely good video

[@geedee5268]

Excellent vid. The CP is for me the one filter that is a must have, I have used one for a decade or so, and your carefully considered assessments of pro`s and cons has caused me to put more thought into my use of a CP.. THANKS.

[@capturingthemachine]

thanks so much! I've been shooting almost exclusively with my 50mm for the last couple weeks, which normally I don't have a polarizer filter on, but I put one on, and I sort of forgot what a difference it can make!

[@cafesteve7356]

Fantastic overview. Thank you

[@capturingthemachine]

Thank you, I'm glad it was helpful!

[@jamiljafri4841]

Great explainer! Wish I could have watched this video years ago. Would have saved me a lot of time 😅. Always a pleasure to watch this channel

[@capturingthemachine]

Thank you, Jamil, I really appreciate the support! 😄

[@equiraptor]

Thank you! Nugget and I will be picking up a dark-colored car soon. I have circular polarized filters for my lenses, but never seemed to get the effects I wanted using them. You filled in my knowledge gaps and give me some great ideas! Hopefully I'll be able to get good photos of the car once we get our hands on it!

[@capturingthemachine]

Awesome, thanks for watching - I hope to see the pics!

[@marianmorales21]

Éste es un perfecto video de como utilizar un filtro CPL. Agradezco haber pasado por acá a revisar tu video, muchas gracias por los tips! Le puse al video su merecido like ❤

[@capturingthemachine]

¡¡gracias!!

[@nesbethk]

Best explanation of what a CPL Filter is an how to use it coming from a Newbie. Not sure why you don't have much views. You may what to change the Title. May be something like "When and how to use Polarize CPL Filters to control Light Reflections on Cars"

[@capturingthemachine]

thanks so much for the kind words! Because your name is Kevin, I will try this title suggestion - it can't hurt 😄

[@Joshua-Lee]

Thank you so much for this video & the questions you posed. Very insightful!

[@capturingthemachine]

You're welcome, happy it resonated!

[@MrEvoToYou]

Thanks for making this video! It's helpful knowing what to look for when I'm spinning the CPL!

[@capturingthemachine]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DaManDaMythDaLegend]

I'm really surprised that this video has so little views. Your work is great and I see more subscribers in your future!

[@capturingthemachine]

Thank you very much, I am so glad you found it! 😄

[@vincentlessore]

Great video, you really explained it well, thank you 🙏🏻

[@capturingthemachine]

thanks you, I'm glad it was helpful!

[@sportcartv496]

Hi, which polarizer would you recommend a little cheaper than the one in the description? Thanks and great video as always !

[@capturingthemachine]

I have a couple CPL filters from K&F Concept that get the job done and are a bit less expensive: amzn.to/3ygSv1Y amzn.to/3WSYZ0B

[@anasmhimd4902]

Really nice informative video!! Thanks a lot mate

[@capturingthemachine]

great to hear this, thank you!

[@deanbush]

VERY helpful explanation of the CPL filter. I also really had never fully understood it before. Now I'll actually use it when I should!

[@capturingthemachine]

thanks so much! It was a challenge to articulate this because it's kind of an abstract idea, I'm really glad it was helpful and informative 👍

[@Steven-nv4iv]

Very informative video! Thank you so much! Question... I'm a mobile auto detailer and I'm completely new to photography. What CPL would you recommend for an iphone? Any other advice? Trying to have professional photos and reels on my instagram. Thank you again!

[@capturingthemachine]

thank you! I have no experience with a CPL on an iPhone - I would be interested to try it. Moment makes a few, and in the past I found their iPhone lenses/filters to be pretty solid. www.shopmoment.com/mobile/phone-lenses/mobile-filters

[@grantgwyn1992]

Best videos I've watched about cpl filters. Thank you

[@capturingthemachine]

Wow, thanks, glad it helped!

[@fatherhooding]

bro thank you for taking the time to show examples.

[@capturingthemachine]

No problem 👍, thanks for watching!

[@sesto194]

Really eye opening, im definetly going to experiment now more with reflections. I think instagram car photography has made us all think that the matte colour intensive look on cars is the way to go

[@capturingthemachine]

for sure, thanks for watching!

[@ColoradoCarsandCoffee]

Great info and fine production, thanks for sharing!

[@capturingthemachine]

Thank you, glad it was helpful!

[@jayco10125]

not super into car photography but this was so well presented that I want to watch the rest of your vids anyway, keep up the great work!

[@capturingthemachine]

Awesome, thank you!

[@benjohnson5222]

This was really helpful. I bought a CPL for my 150-600 Sigma lens and so far had just been winging it with what looks good. Will use these tips next time I head out and shoot.

[@capturingthemachine]

Great to hear that, thanks! I have the Sigma 150-600, it's a fun lens (and good exercise 😅)

[@benjohnson5222]

@@capturingthemachine yep, its a bit weighty. A monopod helped with my hit rate when shooting at the kart track haha :)

[@livinagoodlife]

Nice video. I’m really noticing how reflective light plays a part in photos since dabbling with HDR. It can really be a powerful thing when tuned correctly

[@capturingthemachine]

Very true! Great observation and thanks for watching

[@NexStageChannel]

I learned a lot! Many thanks!

[@capturingthemachine]

Glad it was helpful!

[@AsianGargamel]

This was very helpful, I have a CPL but TBH was never sure on how zu use it properly. Feeling more confident to use it now 💪🏼

[@capturingthemachine]

Awesome - thank you for watching!

[@NostalgiaDigitalFilm]

this is informative. thank you

[@capturingthemachine]

Glad it was helpful!

[@AndrewDoesCarStuff]

Dude. Your content is fantastic! You articulated a tricky subject very well here. I've had similar conflicted feelings about CPL's and how they can sometimes "deaden" the reflections too much, and how they only work on one surface at a time, etc. The way you put together these thoughts in a coherent way has given me some new ideas to try (I like your "happy medium" approach where there is still a highlight on the side). Also might have to try compositing with a CPL, though I rarely use a tripod. I've been enjoying your other vids and it's high time I subbed. Keep it up!

[@capturingthemachine]

Awesome, thanks so much, I really appreciate the comment!

[@deminmax]

This must be the most important video for car photography

[@capturingthemachine]

thank you! 🤩

[@AIAcademyPros]

Got a subscriber because you are honest! Thanks

[@capturingthemachine]

Thanks for the sub!

[@Oddish08]

Finally after 10 videos.. Perfect explanation thank you!!

[@capturingthemachine]

Awesome to hear this, I'm glad it helped!

[@Normandreamfilmmaker]

Awesome video! Thank you.

[@capturingthemachine]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@AramAvetisyan-k3m]

thank you. so helpful as your other videos

[@capturingthemachine]

Glad you like them!

[@damage98]

Great content. One thing that I learned as a young photog pre digital, a polarizers effect varies depending on lens angle to the sun. For maximum control, keep the sun perpendicular to the lens, on your left or right. Try it out 😊. Subd

[@capturingthemachine]

Thanks so much for the kind words! You're totally right, the angle of the sun in relation to the lens is a big factor, and I thought about including it, but I didn't want this video to have to cover too many variables. I've been thinking about lens angle to the sun a lot, in general, and I think that's a topic that could most definitely have its own video in the future. Thanks for your comment 👍

[@rinatbigfish]

Thanks for the video! I also always suspected that it was not the case to remove the reflections entirely) as many write - really one of the best videos about CPL in auto photography

[@capturingthemachine]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate the comment!

[@JustinBerke]

Bro, killer lesson. 🔥

[@capturingthemachine]

thanks, glad it's useful!

[@VipeR1808]

Thanks for this great video. Can't wait for summer and work on my CPL skills. :) I also find, that if the car you are trying to shoot has Paint Protection Film on it, it makes using a CPL even trickier because reflections can become optical dents in your image. I don't know if you have experienced it as well, i for one shure did.

[@capturingthemachine]

Very interesting, I'm not sure if I've encountered that with PPF, but I'll be on the lookout. And thank you for the kind words!

[@12013tup]

Love the video and the channel - keep up the great work!

[@capturingthemachine]

Thanks so much!

[@WayneSin]

Also useful when you have a model inside the car and you don't want to roll down the window

[@capturingthemachine]

hahaha yes, great point

[@closedclosed3798]

Thank you ~ helped me a lot make the purchasing decision. from South Korea.

[@capturingthemachine]

happy to help, thanks for watching!

[@4KCarMedia]

Great video, i'll definitely be checking my lense more often in different environments

[@capturingthemachine]

thanks for watching!

[@GamersWorld22]

THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO!

[@capturingthemachine]

You are so welcome, glad it's helpful!

[@GamersWorld22]

@@capturingthemachine only person that has made a video like this that I've seen

[@bl4ckoutseven709]

Awesome video thank you 😁

[@capturingthemachine]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks!

[@lukepugh76]

Great info!

[@TheInvisibleRedneck]

Very good. Thank You.

[@capturingthemachine]

thanks for watching!

[@mcgarciastudios]

thank you so much for this video, top notch

[@capturingthemachine]

thank you, I'm glad it was helpful!

[@vndmedia]

great video. btw, is it possible to stack a cpl filter with nd filter?

[@capturingthemachine]

thanks! There's no reason why not, but I would avoid stacking a *variable ND*(another filter that changes with rotation).

[@e5141981]

Great video

[@capturingthemachine]

Thanks!

[@roddie8720]

Thank you so much for this video 🙏

[@capturingthemachine]

So nice of you, glad it was helpful!

[@chillipompom5263]

What about long shots of cars with some LED lights? will it eliminate or soften the reflection of LED light?

[@capturingthemachine]

What LED reflection are you referring to? Sometimes there's a repeat affect, where the LED glare repeats in another part of the frame, probably from reflecting on the lens. Generally, if the light source is within the frame, the CPL isn't going do much for that.

[@Strages_Powers]

How did you do the last shot, I couldn't spot a drone in the reflection.

[@capturingthemachine]

it was a drone, I guess it was just in a position where it didn't show up in the windshield, and the white paint was too light for the reflection to show up!

[@Strages_Powers]

nice one!@@capturingthemachine

[@hrsmod]

can you use multiple cpl filters to remove both of the reflections on the top and side of the car?

[@capturingthemachine]

I think that might work, I haven't tried, but I have heard of people using multiple CPLs for video when capturing through the windshield. If you try it, let me know! 😄

[@carsandbasketball]

Great video!

[@capturingthemachine]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you!

[@austindrawhorn2141]

Liking for incredible content and MGS sound effect

[@capturingthemachine]

hahaha thank you!

[@emrelegacy3575]

helpful video thank you sir

[@capturingthemachine]

thanks for watching!

[@V1ZNS.]

great vid!

[@capturingthemachine]

thanks!

[@thilinaalagiyawanna3680]

Thank you very much

[@capturingthemachine]

Thanks for watching!

[@ToniLixSim]

wthy they do now create a double filter? so we can have 100% both angles of the car ? i will test to create one like that with double

[@capturingthemachine]

I'm not sure, that's a good question. I have heard of using two stacked CPLs to totally eliminate glare for video when filming people through the windshield, but not for 'shaping' the highlights on the exterior. If you try it, let me know!

[@viniciusmelo4112]

Can i achieve cpl or a pro mist lens effect during the editing process or buying lens are the better option?

[@capturingthemachine]

They're very different - you can sort of approximate a pro-mist effect (but worse) by using a negative value of the "dehaze" adjustment in Lightroom/Camera Raw. You can't artificially create a CPL effect - it changes the way light enters the lens, and dramatically affects how reflections appear. There's not a post-processing adjustment that can do this

[@AntoniosArampatzis]

What about night videography? Do i need to keep it on?

[@capturingthemachine]

probably not, no. Unless you have specific reflections/glare situations you're trying to control, it's probably best it leave it off and let more light onto the camera sensor.

[@Imperialhsu]

Are you using an ND filter along with your CPL, or is the polarizer enough for you?

[@capturingthemachine]

No ND filter most of the time. I only use it for video generally, or if I’m doing a long exposure thing

[@nervhz]

how do you know if the filter fitts on your lense before you buy it?

[@capturingthemachine]

The filter diameter commonly identified on the lens face by the ⌀ symbol. Sometimes it's on the back of the lens cap. A lens marking may indicate: “⌀55 mm” or “55⌀” meaning it would accept a 55 mm filter. You can also google the lens you have (or look at your purchase receipt online) and review the specs of that lens to find the filter diameter.

[@freestyleskyline]

" Life is like a box of car reflection photos, you never know what you're going to get"

[@capturingthemachine]

😅😅😅

[@Warehouse52]

Nice job removing that Trax!

[@capturingthemachine]

Thanks 😄

[@closedclosed3798]

ow~ Subscribed as well ~

[@capturingthemachine]

👍

[@АндрейНестеров-ф4я]

I did not quite understand, why polarised sky is bad...

[@capturingthemachine]

Maybe the examples I showed aren't the best. It looks like a mistake - a dark vignette in a blue sky can look cool, but a white vignette looks like a mistake.

[@АндрейНестеров-ф4я]

@@capturingthemachine thanks for the answer.. I would love to see a video from you about review or critique some photos from another photographers or amateurs..

[@kingbillybob]

In what you shoot, most people are not critiquing the sky. Can you use a sky replacement? The shot you were displaying as an example had clear sky, and sky replacements work best with that type of photo. I understand picking a sky that matches the source direction of the sun.The filter you show for a 82mm lens has a ridicules price. What is bang for the buck?

[@capturingthemachine]

If I see a photo with a sky with dark splotches, I see amateur work. I would prefer not to do sky replacement, it's just extra steps that can be easily avoided. You can use a wide angle with a CPL filter, which I talked about here (kzbin.info/www/bejne/h57SiGyheZKrbc0), but polarizer sky is just something to be aware of and watch for. The B&W Nano filter I recommended is the one I have the most experience with. It's very thin, which allows you to stack other filters without additional vignetting, and I've found it to be durable which helps, since these can take a beating on the end of your camera lens. A less expensive one will probably be fine, but I don't have experience with others to make a confident recommendation.

[@kingbillybob]

@@capturingthemachine I have been on the B&H site reading reviews. The B&W gets high marks. Hoya has a lot of negatives about the number of stops being more than advertised, and it cost about the same. I believe the B&W wins.

[@capturingthemachine]

@@kingbillybob cool, that's a great point too, the amount of light it lets through. For some filters (like effects filters or ND filters) I buy a cheap no-name one from amazon to try it out and see if I'll use it before investing in a pricy one

[@ivaylobozhinov]

This video is blah, blah

[@capturingthemachine]

I'll keep this insightful feedback in mind