Polarization filter in PSE 5.0??

[Maria]

Hi all,

I'm in Puerto Rico at the moment shooting wonderful beach shots. The other day (very sunny) it would have been SO nice to have a polarization filter on my camera, but I don't have one for my digital Nikon 8800. Then I wondered, if I went ahead and shot the photo, could I use a polarization filter effect via PSE 5.0? And if so, where is this again?

Thanks and here's a rum drink for any one who can help! :) :D

Maria

[TonyW]

Maria: I might just take you up on that offer - I could use a bit of warmth right now. There is no polarizing filter effect in PSE5 and it's one of those filters that you really can't simulate the way it works. Closest you can get it is to use the red channel:

Duplicate the background and change the blending mode of the duplicate layer to Luminosity. Then use Enhance>Convert to Black and White. Don't be surprised when you see the preview pane isn't black and white - it's because the blend mode is luminosity. Now increase the red (and if you want decrease the other colours) and adjust the contrast until you get an effect you like.

You can use other blending modes if you want other effects - some give some quite interesting effects although they may need the opacity reducing or they can look a bit overdone.

Tony