Twilight Hours With The Gold-n-Blue Polarizer – Kevin McNeal

 

 

I recently was asked at a workshop if I still use the Gold-n-Blue Polarizer. I occasionally do but only at certain times. The polarizer can be very tricky and needs to be used in moderation. The use of the polarizer sparked some controversy among the workshop participants so I decided I would write an article on how and when to use the Gold-n-Blue Polarizer. I found myself not using it as much but when I do use it it is a valuable asset to my arsenal of tools. Included are some images that have done well for me in the past that were taken with a Gold-n-Blue Polarizer.

For many photographers, once the sun disappears, it is time to pack up their bags and go home. For the rest of us, twilight colors can present some great opportunities to capture some magical light. Unfortunately, the color that presents itself during these twilight hours is often not long enough, nor strong enough, to allow us the extra benefit of photographing into the night. This is where the real benefit of the Blue-Gold Polarizer works for me. During twilight hours, the Blue-Gold Polarizer dramatically increases the intensity and duration of the color in the scene, which allows me to shoot for longer periods of time. Thus, I can try several different perspectives and compositions allowing more options to select from in the end. With a regular circular polarizer after sunset I might have 10-20 minutes to shoot before the color is gone. But with the Blue- Gold Polarizer, I can keep shooting for up to a hour after sunset.

The Blue- Gold Polarizer allows me the extra time needed to try several different perspectives. What this means is, that I have more options to choose from when making my final selection of what images to keep. For example, when shooting during these twilight hours, the importance of vibrant colors in the image is necessary to make it stand out. The added color allows me to highlight the details and textures, especially in the foreground. This really gives the image the perception of depth needed in the image. This added benefit can really show off details in foreground subjects like rock patterns, sand ripples, and mirrored reflections in water.

 

 

Another added benefit to using the Blue-Gold Polarizer during twilight hours is that the intensified color allows me shorter shutter speeds and less noise in the image due to the extra color present in the image. When using a circular polarizer, the foreground reflections of twilight color are less present and therefore create underexposed noisy images. To receive more light in the image with a circular polarizer you need more exposure time which then causes more noise to be present. So by using a Blue-Gold Polarizer, color shows up in the image where there would be nothing but shadows in a circular polarizer.

 

 

 

Lastly, the benefit of the added color gives me the extra boost in contrast to give the image a more dramatic feel to it. Stronger color and contrast evoke emotions and thus helps my image create a mood.

 

By using the Blue-Gold Polarizer during twilight hours, many more possibilities exist to improve your photography.

 

Feel free to email me if you have questions about the methods used in the images.