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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Reflective surfaces
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 06/04/2004 11:49:15 PM · #1
I know that polarized lenses help cut reflection, but my camera doesn't take one. When trying to photograph reflective surfaces (chrome, painted surfaces, polished items, etc.), are there any tips in how to avoid reflection and glare? Thank you!
06/04/2004 11:54:34 PM · #2
I found a polarizer at a thrift shot for fifty cents. I just hold it in front of the lens. I've used polarized sunglasses the same way.

Otherwise, get at an angle where the specular highlights are minimized, or put a large thin cloth (like a sheet) between the sun and the subject, far enough to block the direct light, but not casting a dark shadow.
 06/04/2004 11:58:36 PM · #3
when i was shooting with my little Olympus, i used the lens from a pair of cheap polarizing sunglasses. seemed to work pretty well.
06/05/2004 12:14:58 AM · #4
Your camera may work with the Cokin Digi-holder system.
 06/05/2004 12:29:21 AM · #5
What I do sometimes is... if you have an independant light source, angle the light so that it blasts at the reflected object, but the light itself should not create a glare. This increases the light value of the actual object, and lessens glare from other light sources. I work for a documentary group called "GALLERY" and we are constantly in museums and galleries trying to get video of paintings and photos that are behind glass. We just "blast them with light" from the opposite angle that we are shooting, and it really gets rid of that glare.

drake
 06/05/2004 03:23:17 AM · #6
Originally posted by fstopopen:
What I do sometimes is... if you have an independant light source, angle the light so that it blasts at the reflected object, but the light itself should not create a glare. This increases the light value of the actual object, and lessens glare from other light sources. I work for a documentary group called "GALLERY" and we are constantly in museums and galleries trying to get video of paintings and photos that are behind glass. We just "blast them with light" from the opposite angle that we are shooting, and it really gets rid of that glare.

drake


I don't understand. By any chance could you post a shot of a typical setup?

-Terry
 06/05/2004 10:02:45 AM · #7
I think what fstopopen is saying is, if you imagine the path that the light rays in the reflected glare take, yoiu reverse the path, and tht is the place you want to put your lights.
This should result in the lights always being as near as possible to being behind the camera. Never tried this, just a thought exercise.

06/05/2004 10:05:52 AM · #8
Originally posted by Kylie:
I know that polarized lenses help cut reflection, but my camera doesn't take one. When trying to photograph reflective surfaces (chrome, painted surfaces, polished items, etc.), are there any tips in how to avoid reflection and glare? Thank you!


Polarizers can help immensely, and as posted previously you can always just hold one over the lens, or temporarily attach it. Remember though that polarizers do not affect the reflections off of metal surfaces, only non-metallic ones. Also, the cancellation is most effective at a reflection angle of just over 30 degrees, and is almost absent as the reflection angle approaches 90 degrees or zero degrees.

edit for typos

Message edited by author 2004-06-05 10:06:56.
 06/05/2004 10:59:01 AM · #9
Originally posted by GeneralE:
I found a polarizer at a thrift shot for fifty cents. I just hold it in front of the lens. I've used polarized sunglasses the same way.

Otherwise, get at an angle where the specular highlights are minimized, or put a large thin cloth (like a sheet) between the sun and the subject, far enough to block the direct light, but not casting a dark shadow.


I do the same thing, I just hold up my sunglasses. The only thing that it really effects is the shutter speed. With my camera and sunglasses, it doubles the exposure time, but in strong light, it really doesn't make too much of a difference.
 06/05/2004 11:14:06 AM · #10
Will this adapter not fit your camera , it looks like it's made for it.
//www.memberstores.com/kodxlead.html
 06/05/2004 11:50:05 AM · #11
Originally posted by Pioneer:
Will this adapter not fit your camera , it looks like it's made for it.
//www.memberstores.com/kodxlead.html


First -- thanks to all whjo helped here. I have some good things to try now.

This adapter is for my camera, but they don't make a polarized lens, to my knowledge, that fits it. I The 6490 has one, but it won't fit onto my 6440 ;o(
 06/05/2004 11:59:26 AM · #12
Originally posted by Kylie:
Originally posted by Pioneer:
Will this adapter not fit your camera , it looks like it's made for it.
//www.memberstores.com/kodxlead.html


First -- thanks to all whjo helped here. I have some good things to try now.

This adapter is for my camera, but they don't make a polarized lens, to my knowledge, that fits it. I The 6490 has one, but it won't fit onto my 6440 ;o(


I am not sure what you want then. I thought you wanted to put a polarized filter on your camera. From what I read this adapter mounts on your camera (DX6440) and then you screw on your 37 mm filters which are avaliable. Again sorry I thought that is what you were looking to do. Filter ?

Message edited by author 2004-06-05 12:09:32.
 06/05/2004 12:16:54 PM · #13
Originally posted by Pioneer:

I am not sure what you want then. I thought you wanted to put a polarized filter on your camera. From what I read this adapter mounts on your camera (DX6440) and then you screw on your 37 mm filters which are avaliable. Again sorry I thought that is what you were looking to do. Filter ?


I think maybe my ignorance is showing again. I thought that my camera could only accept the three lenses Kodak sells for it (close up, tele, and wide) and that the adapter was for this camera and these lenses only. I have never worked with lenses (or cameras other than point-n-shoots) before. Are you telling me that these lenses are "universal", and with that adapter, I will be free to use many other lenses/filters? Sorry to sound so dense -- this is all new to me. Thank you!
 06/05/2004 12:20:45 PM · #14
Yep, with the adapter, you can use any 37mm filter. With regard to add-on lenses, you can likely use some of those too, however the depth of the adpater may affect the performance of the add-on lens. What you want to do is either purchase locally so you can try it before you commit, or buy from an on-line retailer that has a good return policy.
 06/05/2004 12:31:11 PM · #15
I am glad I asked now! Thank you. This will be great (as soon as I can afford them!),
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