Taking pictures of pictures behind glass
Oct 12, 2015 07:39:01 #
OwlHarbor
Loc: Pacific North West USA
I need to take pictures of pictures that have a glass front. I have done some research on line that indicates that I need to have my camera peek through a black background so the glass will not pick up reflections from the surrounding area. Appreciate tips, ideas, and practices that work. So far my pictures show the glass with reflections.
Oct 12, 2015 07:48:14 #
I have done it successfully by laying the picture on the floor in a room with secluded light. Set the camera on a tripod and adjust for exposure, it may be fairly long. If there is a problem with reflection it can usually be corrected by moving the picture a bit. Good luck.
Oct 12, 2015 08:00:22 #
Besides the black background, your source of lighting has to be at a 45 degree angle to the glass so the camera doesn't pick up the reflection of that light source. Two strobes work the best.
Oct 12, 2015 08:27:41 #
OwlHarbor wrote:
I need to take pictures of pictures that have a glass front. I have done some research on line that indicates that I need to have my camera peek through a black background so the glass will not pick up reflections from the surrounding area. Appreciate tips, ideas, and practices that work. So far my pictures show the glass with reflections.
Yes, your camera should be behind a black velvet or velcro blind. I used to have a black metal plate that mounted onto the front of my macro lens with a filter ring. The plate was shaped a bit like a C with angular flaps to reduce bounce-back light from my copy lights. The plate was large enough to hide my camera AND hold a cloth drape up over the copy stand.
Lighting also plays a key role. Lights should be adjusted to between 37.5 and 45 degrees above the surface of the art, and metered to within 1/6 f/stop, corner to corner.
Oct 12, 2015 08:49:57 #
In addition to everything else mentioned, a polarizer might help.
Oct 12, 2015 09:31:37 #
OwlHarbor wrote:
I need to take pictures of pictures that have a glass front. I have done some research on line that indicates that I need to have my camera peek through a black background so the glass will not pick up reflections from the surrounding area. Appreciate tips, ideas, and practices that work. So far my pictures show the glass with reflections.
Wouldn't a Circular Polarizer eliminate the reflection?
Oct 12, 2015 12:09:53 #
Mac wrote:
Wouldn't a Circular Polarizer eliminate the reflection?
Surely using a Polarizing filter would affect the tonal values of the picture. Not something that you would want to happen.
Oct 12, 2015 12:18:47 #
Jolly Roger wrote:
Surely using a Polarizing filter would affect the tonal values of the picture. Not something that you would want to happen.
Yes, it might affect the colors but, that can be corrected in PP, reflections can hardly ever be eliminated in PP
Oct 12, 2015 12:36:07 #
SonyA580 wrote:
Yes, it might affect the colors but, that can be corrected in PP
That sounds to me like taking the longest route.
I am watching this topic hoping for some pearls of wisdom from one of our illustrious members.
Oct 12, 2015 22:24:23 #
To expand on what Ron said, get a collapsible (soft) rubber hood. Put the hood against the glass. Since the hood is flexible, you can change the angle of the camera slightly.
Oct 12, 2015 23:49:50 #
Mac wrote:
Wouldn't a Circular Polarizer eliminate the reflection?
No. Not unless the light SOURCE is polarized.
Oct 13, 2015 08:11:34 #
johnst1001a
Loc: West Chester, Ohio
No, a circular polarizer will likely not remove the reflection, or at least not likely.
Oct 13, 2015 09:19:22 #
I have done it, but I have a very old 'copy stand' I used in the 35mm days.
It is great. Screw the tripod thread on the mount on the stand, then you can move it up and down as desired.
It is great. Screw the tripod thread on the mount on the stand, then you can move it up and down as desired.
Oct 13, 2015 11:09:25 #
When light reflects at or near 90 degrees, there is no preference to any polarization. Brewster's angle (also known as the polarization angle) is the angle that give the greatest polarization of reflected light off a non-metallic surface. That angle is 32 degrees for water and 37 for glass. While a photo studio setup is best, if you can't, have a friend hold up a coat or cloth (dark or black is best) behind the camera to block light coming from that direction.
Oct 13, 2015 11:48:15 #
Hi OwlHarbor,
I've done a lot of this type of shooting. I "peek" the camera through a large black cloth, use "bounced" electronic flashes (4 of them) positioned to the sides of the pictures and tilt them slightly downward. I take a shot then adjust from there. Usually, I get it right in a couple of shots then go from there. Last I a horizontal straightening of the picture in Lightroom. Once I have my lighting set up I copy several pictures at a time (if that's what the customer wants of course). Take care & ...
I've done a lot of this type of shooting. I "peek" the camera through a large black cloth, use "bounced" electronic flashes (4 of them) positioned to the sides of the pictures and tilt them slightly downward. I take a shot then adjust from there. Usually, I get it right in a couple of shots then go from there. Last I a horizontal straightening of the picture in Lightroom. Once I have my lighting set up I copy several pictures at a time (if that's what the customer wants of course). Take care & ...
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