How to maximise contrast range of distant landscapes with blue haze?

Question

Distant landscapes often appear hazy, washed-out and blue due to Rayleigh scattering.

What can be done to maximise the contrast range of the exposure when photographing such scenes?

For example:

• Would any sort of hardware, camera settings, or type of "film" (including digital) produce better results?
• Are there reliable ways to predict when haze will be lowest?

Answer

You should be able to decrease the haze a bit using a polarizer or haze filter.

• Using polarizing filters to cut through haze and deepen blue skies
• UV, Skylight and Haze Filters
• Cambridge in Color: Filters

Additional Information on Haze filters

A haze filter absorbs a greater about of UV light than a normal UV filter can.

For Tiffen Haze filters:

Haze 1 - Reduces excessive blue haze caused by UV light by absorbing 71% of UV. Great all-around UV control.

Haze 2A - Absorbs all UV light; reduces haze; maintains color and image clarity. Best for high altitude and marine scenes.

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