Polarizing filter...how, what, why?

[slartibartfast]

Hi all, i got a Polarizing filter for my Canon 300D from Santa.
firstly it's my first
secondly, did my eyes just decieve more or did it just chance colour when i held it up to the computer screen?

anyone got any examples of what a difference it makes?
and when is it best to use one? or do i just leave it on?

thanks in advance

Paul

[CommanderJameson]

Your LCD screen has a polarising filter in it, too. Hold your lens filter up to the screen and rotate it to see what I mean.

When you can't see the screen through the filter, you've found the point at which the two polarising filters cross. Pretty much everything household with an LCD in it has a polarising filter.

[GetCarter]

Increases contrast, decreases reflections...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polarizing_filter

[slartibartfast]

great, thanks guys.
if you've got any examples of your own it'd be great to see them.
the wiki is good.

Paul

[Gingerbread Man]

Great for bringing out the colours in the sky when shooting out doors. Makes them bluer (is that a word!?).

Also great for reducing reflections, reflections on glass, water, you name it.

So if you ever find yourself taking pictures through glass or of fish....screw it on.

[slartibartfast]

Gingerbread Man said:

Great for bringing out the colours in the sky when shooting out doors. Makes them bluer (is that a word!?).

Also great for reducing reflections, reflections on glass, water, you name it.

So if you ever find yourself taking pictures through glass or of fish....screw it on.

bluer....i understood so i'm sure it is, infact lets make it a word LOL.