Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

What effect does a polarizer have on shiny surfaces like glass or water?

1. It enhances color

2. It increases brightness

3. It reduces reflections

4. It softens the focus

The correct answer is: It reduces reflections

A polarizer is an essential tool for photographers, particularly when dealing with shiny surfaces such as glass or water. Its primary effect on these surfaces is to reduce reflections. When light hits a shiny surface, it can create glare that obscures details underneath. A polarizing filter works by filtering out certain light waves that produce these reflections, allowing the photographer to see through the surface more clearly. This results in more saturated colors and better detail visibility, particularly in scenarios like capturing a scene reflected in water or seeing the contents of a glass window. While enhancing color, increasing brightness, and softening focus are recognized effects of filters in photography, they do not specifically address the core benefit of using a polarizer on reflective surfaces. Instead, the strength of a polarizer lies in its ability to diminish unwanted glare and reflections, thereby improving the overall quality of the image.