Ocean filming

[New_Zealand]

Not sure if this is the right location for this subject? Has anyone done any ocean filming? If so what filters do you think is best due to the large refection of the water? Thanks

 

[edinc90]

Polarizer. It's the only filter that will cut reflections.

 

[David W. Richardson]

Polarizer. It's the only filter that will cut reflections.

Correct. And even the polarizer's effect will vary depending on the position of the sun relative to the camera-subject plane. If the sun is at a right angle (90 degrees) to the camera-subject plane, the polarizer will have its maximum effect.

To illustrate, imagine you are facing your subject. Extend your right arm straight out to the right, parallel to the ground, and move it in an arc until it's pointing straight up. Do the same with your left arm. If at any point in that arc one of your fingers was pointed directly at the sun, then the polarizer will have its maximum effect of reducing reflections. The further off that arc the sun is, the less effect the polarizer will have.

Down here in the mid-Atlantic states, high noon is the time when a polarizer will have its maximum effect, regardless of what direction you're shooting in. But I don't know if that would be true in Alaska or New Zealand.

Good luck!

 

[New_Zealand]

Thanks

 

[puredrifting]

Unless you are using a mattebox, you want a circular polarizer.

 

[New_Zealand]

I have a mattebox but may not use it due to the drifting between the talent boat and the shooting boat having to switch lens quickly. I will check into the circular polarize - thanks