Poor-man’s polarizer
A great thing about digital SLR cameras is that their lenses have threads on them so you can attach various filters to enhance picture quality. Problem is, DSLRs are expensive.
Solution: build an adaptor that fits onto the retractable lens of a digital compact camera that allows the use of a threaded polarizing filter. Found this solution through Google, but I can’t track it down now.
Basically, take one of those old 35mm plastic film canisters (or tube with appropriate diameter for your digital compact lens) and hacksaw (hax0r, ha ha) the end off to form a plastic ring. One end will fit around the retractable lens, and the other end will serve to hold the circular polarizing filter in place. The pictures give a better idea.
An important thing to note: Saw off the end of the tube bit by bit, leaving the appropriate amount of tubing so that when the filter is attached and the assembly is plugged onto the retractable lens, (1) the image is not blocked by part of the tube or filter, and (2) the tube and filter do not block the movement of the lens (e.g. when zooming). When taking photos with this makeshift assembly, there may be a bit of reflection of the lens onto the polarizer - just block the incoming light with your hand.
Usage is simple - just twist, and observe! Some suggest setting the polarizer after locking the exposure (i.e. half-way press on a compact) but I found setting it before works well.
As you can see, the polarizer makes a tasty difference, deepening the blues and greens in this photo from Echo Point, Katoomba.