Shooting through Windows/glass, stop reflections of lights on the glass at DVinfo.net

Matt Thomas · March 13th, 2014, 11:14 AM

Hey guys, Quick question, would a Polariser on a DSLR help to stop reflection/glare from lights when shooting through a window/glass?

I've attached a still from when I shot through a Glass window in a booth at a live wrestling event. The window cant be opened, and the booth was the only place to have the camera. The wrestling promoter is happy with the footage but I'd like to try and prevent the reflection/glare for the next time we shoot in that venue, You can see the reflection/glare that is present on the bottom right of the screen (they look like light streaks), so I was wondering would using a Polariser would help this?

Thanks

Darren Levine · March 13th, 2014, 11:38 AM

it 'might', depends on the direction of the reflection, i would test it out in advance, though if you're locked into that location anyways, then if it works it works

Kyle Root · March 13th, 2014, 12:03 PM

Circular polarizer maybe?

Mark Watson · March 13th, 2014, 01:31 PM

The Lenskirt might work for you. I use it all the time to shoot through my hotel windows and it works great to eliminate reflections. A circular polarizer works also, but not as good. I have to readjust the filter any time I change the angle of the lens to the window.

LENSKIRT - Block reflections when taking pictures through glass

Mark

Seth Bloombaum · March 13th, 2014, 02:25 PM

There are four things you can do, all of which will help.

1. Clean the glass.

2. Make the room dark (I like the lenskirt Mark linked to above! You can also hang some black duvetene to back the camera for the same effect, if you can't turn off the room lights.)

3. Ram the camera right up to the glass, the closer the better. 1/16" is not too close, but don't have it touch.

4. Yes, a polarizer, but you'll also lose some light.

Charles W. Hull · March 13th, 2014, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Watson

The Lenskirt might work for you. I use it all the time to shoot through my hotel windows and it works great to eliminate reflections. A circular polarizer works also, but not as good. I have to readjust the filter any time I change the angle of the lens to the window.

LENSKIRT - Block reflections when taking pictures through glass

I shoot out of aircraft quite a bit and stopping reflections is a big deal. I made and use a very effective skirt from a truck shift boot from Pep Boys. (Not my idea, many pilots use this.) But short of that a rubber lens hood is very effective if you are shooting straight on. Amazon.com: Fotodiox 3-Section Rubber Lens Hood, Sun Shade, 67mm: Camera & Photo .
Just press the hood up against the glass and make sure it is well sealed.

I've tried several times and ever had much luck with polaroid filters for this.

Warren Kawamoto · March 13th, 2014, 10:05 PM

If you're trying to cut reflections with a polarizer and the window is parallel with the filter, it won't work. You need to shoot through the glass at an angle (57 degrees) to minimize the reflections.

In this case, a black skirt or dark room would be your best solution since you would also lose 1 or 2 stops with the polarizer.

Anthony Lelli · March 14th, 2014, 04:12 AM

I'm in the same situation twice a week, shooting sports from the booth. I solved the problem mounting a black muslin (on a background stand) as wide as the window and dim the lights in the room . With a black muslin 95% f the reflections are gone, just make sure that you wear black too (including arm and hands). As others said a pola won't work (and then will take 2 stops) if shot perpendicular.

March 13th, 2014, 11:14 AM	#1
Matt Thomas Major Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: UK Posts: 232	Shooting through Windows/glass, stop reflections of lights on the glass Hey guys, Quick question, would a Polariser on a DSLR help to stop reflection/glare from lights when shooting through a window/glass? I've attached a still from when I shot through a Glass window in a booth at a live wrestling event. The window cant be opened, and the booth was the only place to have the camera. The wrestling promoter is happy with the footage but I'd like to try and prevent the reflection/glare for the next time we shoot in that venue, You can see the reflection/glare that is present on the bottom right of the screen (they look like light streaks), so I was wondering would using a Polariser would help this? Thanks Attached Thumbnails

March 13th, 2014, 11:38 AM	#2
Darren Levine Major Player Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: NJ/NYC Posts: 563	Re: Shooting through Windows/glass, stop reflections of lights on the glass it 'might', depends on the direction of the reflection, i would test it out in advance, though if you're locked into that location anyways, then if it works it works __________________ C100 - GH4 - NYC Shooter www.DarrenLevine.com

March 13th, 2014, 12:03 PM	#3
Kyle Root Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Decatur, AL Posts: 883	Re: Shooting through Windows/glass, stop reflections of lights on the glass Circular polarizer maybe? __________________ Kyle KR Productions; www.kyleroot.com

March 13th, 2014, 01:31 PM	#4
Mark Watson Major Player Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Whidbey Island Posts: 873	Re: Shooting through Windows/glass, stop reflections of lights on the glass The Lenskirt might work for you. I use it all the time to shoot through my hotel windows and it works great to eliminate reflections. A circular polarizer works also, but not as good. I have to readjust the filter any time I change the angle of the lens to the window. LENSKIRT - Block reflections when taking pictures through glass Mark

March 13th, 2014, 02:25 PM	#5
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	Re: Shooting through Windows/glass, stop reflections of lights on the glass There are four things you can do, all of which will help. 1. Clean the glass. 2. Make the room dark (I like the lenskirt Mark linked to above! You can also hang some black duvetene to back the camera for the same effect, if you can't turn off the room lights.) 3. Ram the camera right up to the glass, the closer the better. 1/16" is not too close, but don't have it touch. 4. Yes, a polarizer, but you'll also lose some light. __________________ 30 years of pro media production. Vegas user since 1.0. Webcaster since 1997. Freelancer since 2000. College instructor since 2001.

March 13th, 2014, 10:05 PM	#7
Warren Kawamoto Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,435	Re: Shooting through Windows/glass, stop reflections of lights on the glass If you're trying to cut reflections with a polarizer and the window is parallel with the filter, it won't work. You need to shoot through the glass at an angle (57 degrees) to minimize the reflections. In this case, a black skirt or dark room would be your best solution since you would also lose 1 or 2 stops with the polarizer.

March 14th, 2014, 04:12 AM	#8
Anthony Lelli Major Player Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: New York City Posts: 329	Re: Shooting through Windows/glass, stop reflections of lights on the glass I'm in the same situation twice a week, shooting sports from the booth. I solved the problem mounting a black muslin (on a background stand) as wide as the window and dim the lights in the room . With a black muslin 95% f the reflections are gone, just make sure that you wear black too (including arm and hands). As others said a pola won't work (and then will take 2 stops) if shot perpendicular.