Which filter is most effective for reducing glare?

The polarizing filter is most effective for reducing glare because it is specifically designed to filter out polarized light. When light reflects off surfaces such as water, glass, or wet pavement, it becomes polarized, leading to distracting glare in photographs. By using a polarizing filter, photographers can minimize this glare, resulting in clearer images and enhanced color saturation. This filter also helps to improve contrast, particularly in landscapes with the sky or water.

In contrast, while graduated filters can help balance exposure in scenes with a significant difference in light between the sky and the foreground, they do not specifically target glare. Neutral density filters reduce the overall light entering the lens, allowing for longer exposure times or wider apertures in bright conditions, but they do not address glare directly. UV filters were traditionally used to protect the lens and reduce UV light effects, but they do not have a significant impact on glare reduction.