Top 10 Tips For Summer - Maximise Colour

9. Capture The Summer - Maximise colour

Blue skies are a common sight at this time of year, and you can make the colour even punchier with a polarising filter. Not only do these filters reduce reflections on water or shiny surfaces they also deepen the blue of a sky, the green of trees and grass, and all the other colours in your shot. Polarisers are most effective with subjects at 90 degrees to the light source, so keep the sun over your shoulder for best results. Also, be aware that polarising filters absorb about 1.5 stops of light, so you’ll need to use a slower shutter speed, wider aperture or higher ISO than you would otherwise.

Another way to help maximise your colour saturation is to use a lens hood. These reduce the risk of flare – stray light hitting the front lens element obliquely from outside the image area. Flare lowers image contrast and reduces colour saturation.