Polarisation filters are now a standard accessory for most drone pilots. But why, exactly, do people use them? The answer is pretty simple: polarised lenses reduce the amount of glare and reflections that can be reflected back into the camera lens. This makes the image appear to be less distorted and more clear, creating an amazing effect for your image.
What Are Polarisation Filters?
Polarisation filters are also called polarizing filters, and they’re commonly used to reduce glare from water, snow and glass. The way they work is by filtering out horizontal light waves from your image so that only vertical light waves pass through the lens.
When you use a polarising filter on your drone camera it will remove reflections off of surfaces like water or foliage, making them more clear. This is great for aerial photography because you can capture images without having to worry about getting unwanted reflections in your shot.
What Is A Polarising Filter?
A polarising filter can reduce glare by allowing you to remove reflections from shiny objects, such as a lake or glass. It also works in water, where the reflection of your drone can be seen through the surface at an angle.
The light beam is split into two waves of different polarisation, which then go through a series of filters that block some wavelengths while letting others pass.
Do Polarisation Filters Work With Drones?
You’re probably wondering, “Do polarisation filters work with drones?” And the answer is: yes. They do work with drones.
Why do people use Polarisation Filters on Drones? Well, let me tell you why:
- Polarisation Filters Reduce Glare and Reflections
- Polarisation Filters Increase Contrast In Your Images/Videos
- Polarisation Filters Reduce The Brightness Of The Sky In Your Images/Videos To Create More Dramatic Scenes (Think Clouds Suddenly Turning Black)
- Polarisation Filters Reduce The Brightness Of Landscapes To Create More Dramatic Scenes (Think High-Key Compositions)
How To Use A Polariser For Drones
To use a polariser for your drone, you need to attach it to your drone’s lens. You can do this using either tape or a lens filter holder, which will allow you to easily remove the filter when you’re done shooting with it.
When attaching the filter itself, make sure that the circular side faces outwards so that it can be rotated by hand as needed. Rotate it until you find the best angle for your needs and then mark that position with marker or paint pen so that you’ll know where to put it back later on.
Hacks For Using ND Filters And Polarisers With Drones
If you’ve ever wondered how to use ND filters and polarisation filters with drones, here’s how:
- Use ND filters to reduce glare. If your footage is filmed in bright sunlight, you can use it as an editing tool. For example, when filming a sunset over water or sand dunes, try adding an f-stop (or two) of ND filter on top of the polariser. The result should be footage that looks like something from a dreamy film director’s Instagram feed but without any post-production editing required!
- Use polarising filters to reduce reflections from surfaces such as glass windows or water bodies in nature photography shots. You can also use them inside buildings where light reflects off walls and floors creating harsh shadows throughout the image which can lead to overexposure if not corrected by using this type of filter system specifically designed for cameras used by aerial photographers or videographers such as DJI Mavic Pro users who want their pictures taken while flying thousands feet above ground level without any problems whatsoever.”
Polarisation filters are used to reduce glare and reflections.
Polarisation filters are used to reduce glare and reflections.
They should be considered not just for night time photography, but also for reducing light pollution in the daytime.
Conclusion
So that’s why people use polarisation filters on drones. Polarisation filters for drones are just like those we use in photography. They’re great for reducing reflections, glare and boosting contrast. They can also help to enhance colours, but this depends on the conditions under which you shoot. Personally, I love using them and have found they really make a difference to my photos! For some shots I even combine ND and polarising filters together because they work so well to reduce exposure while still providing plenty of detail in shadows and highlights alike.