What type of filter is primarily used to enhance contrast in black and white photography?

The polarizing filter is used to enhance contrast in black and white photography due to its ability to reduce glare and reflections from surfaces. By minimizing unwanted brightness caused by reflections, it allows the photographer to achieve deeper blacks and more pronounced whites in the final image. This results in a broader range of tones and improved overall contrast, making cloud formations stand out against the sky or enhancing textures in landscapes.

While other types of filters have specific uses—such as neutral density filters which reduce the overall light entering the lens, UV filters which primarily protect the lens from scratches without affecting contrast, and color filters which can alter the appearance of tones by filtering specific wavelengths—none serve the primary purpose of enhancing contrast in black and white photography as effectively as a polarizing filter. The polarizer works by controlling the light that reaches the camera sensor, thereby influencing the tonal range and depth of the final image.