Polarizers are among the nifty lens filters you can use to make a big difference in the quality of your snaps. Let this photography cheat sheet be your guide.

One of the best and most effective ways to get better photos is by using lens filters to help get the right exposure, make the colors pop, or achieve certain special effects — all in-camera. As such, they save time in post-processing work. Polarizers, in particular, are especially useful for removing glare and reflections, making them firm favorites of landscape photographers who frequently shoot near bodies of water. They are also helpful when photographing metallic or reflective surfaces like cars. With today’s photography cheat sheet, you’ll learn the secrets of using a circular polarizer to either darken blue skies or reduce reflections.