I can't explain what happened in this photo. I'm sure I did something wrong, but I don't know what it was. Maybe someday I'll learn how to explain it, but for now, it just looks weird.

Technical Data: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT, Canon EF 35-80mm f/4-5.6 III at 35mm, 1/200 sec at f/10. ISO 400. Circular polarizing filter. No post production. Virgin Run Lake, Fayette County, PA.

We only have one polarizing filter and it only fits a couple lenses that don't get much use, but I made a point of trying it out one Saturday last October. Anya and I had been out looking for nice fall foliage (which as you can see by the photo, we were a bit early for even at this point in October) and stopped by Virgin Run Lake.

A polarizing filter works by reducing light of a specific wavelength - for all functional purposes, this means reflections. Since most reflections from the same source will have the same wavelength, the filter is able to reduce it enough to make it appear to remove it. You may notice that the sky is much bluer (not in this photo) in photos with a polarizing filter, this is because the filter is working on reflections from water particles in the air, thus producing the bluer color.

However, in this photo, I must have had the filter turned the wrong way (circular polarizers work by rotating to filter the wavelength of light you prefer), which resulted in a very flat sky and fake looking clouds.

What do you think?

- Bill