Polarization by scattering. polarization by scattering occurs when light is scattered while traveling through a medium. When light strikes the atom of a material, it will often set the electrons of those atoms into vibration, the vibrating electrons will produce their own electromagnetic wave that is radiated outwards in all directions. This absorption and remission of light waves causes the light to be scattered about the media. This process of scattering contributes to the blueness of our skies. Were light waves of a lower frequency hit rain droplets, and the light is partially polarized, where we can see a clear image of the rainbow As thin film interference, polarization by scattering, as observed through our atmosphere often produces a glare in the sky.

Photographers know that this particular polarization of scattered light leads to photographs with highly overexposed skies. This can easily be corrected by the use of a Polaroid filter, where the photographic secret of capturing a blue vivid skylines is in the result of a photographer's control of polarization. This understanding of scattering polarization should also be used by a controlled lighting designer