Shooting into a mirror: begmon's post about shooting a scene in a beautyshop setting and including the subjects in the mirror posed this question in my mind: When shooting into a...

GC likes NIKON Loc: East Greenwich, Rhode Island

begmon's post about shooting a scene in a beautyshop setting and including the subjects in the mirror posed this question in my mind:

When shooting into a mirror, where does the camera focus if you want the subjects sharp. If you are using AF, does the lens focus on the image plane of the glass ?? or the reflected image 5 feet beyond ?? In other words, If the subject is 5 feet in front of the glass. Do you focus for 5 feet or manual focus for that distance plus another 5 feet ??

snowbear

It will be 5', the distance to the reflection.

GC likes NIKON Loc: East Greenwich, Rhode Island

So, does that mean if you were shooting through a car window, your camera is going to focus on the glass window directly in front of you and NOT the scene beyond ??

PhotoJosh Loc: Brighton, UK

Yeah, it's into the distance. As a little tip, I like to do this with models who are just starting out, because they forget how to pose as soon as they get infront of a camera. Put them in front of a mirror and capture the reflection then you'll get much better results, and people looking at the photo won't even realise it's through a mirror.

PhotoJosh Loc: Brighton, UK

GC likes NIKON wrote:

So, does that mean if you were shooting through a car window, your camera is going to focus on the glass window directly in front of you and NOT the scene beyond ??

No, because the window is largely transparent, it will have trouble seeing it unless it's dirty. It's much more likely to just pass it and focus on the scene instead. It's all about what the camera can see.

snowbear

In manually focus, it will focus on what you choose - the glass or the scene. In AF, it will probably depend on your AF settings (nearest object, single/continuous, etc.) I've had the AF on my D40 pick up on the glass/screen, but then continue to the scene after slightly repositioning (in continuous mode). I tend to use MF when shooting through thinks like this, so it's not a real issue.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Off Topic!!....Sorry, GC.

Cool Shot!! Josh!!

Please explain this image. Did you shot using a mirror?
Or, is she looking at herself in a mirror?
Or, everybody is using a mirror?
Pat

PhotoJosh Loc: Brighton, UK

Yeah sorry, don't want to do the dreaded thread hijacking, so I'll be quick. The actual photo is of her reflection, so I'm shooting into the mirror, at her. You can see more of the photos here. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.280105195376371.80519.172424169477808&type=3

Cappy Loc: Wildwood, NJ

Interesting way of doing it. Will have to try it sometime and would like to see the tutorial when it's complete.

DJ Mills Loc: Idaho

PhotoJosh wrote:

Yeah, it's into the distance. As a little tip, I like to do this with models who are just starting out, because they forget how to pose as soon as they get infront of a camera. Put them in front of a mirror and capture the reflection then you'll get much better results, and people looking at the photo won't even realise it's through a mirror.

Thanks for the hint. This is an example of how much more valuable Hedgehog is than most photo mags.

hamtrack Loc: Omaha NE

Shot this self portrait to see how my form was. It wasn't good, but it's obvious that it was shot using a mirror, unless you assume some Nikon employee had a very bad night before coming to work.

mgemstone Loc: Chicago/Cocoa beach/La/NY

i am a bit confused by the responses. If you shoot through clear glass, the lens needs to be againt the glass or close to to avoid reflection of the camera. A Fstop of 4.0- 2.0 is also eliminates any spots on the glass being in your image. When shooting a mirror reflect with the subject and their reflection included, you can focus on the subject with the mirro image slightly out of focus, focus on the reflected image with the actual person out of focus, or have both in focus depending on the distance of subject to mirror and the focal length and Fstop of the lens. It really depends on what kind of image that you are trying to create.

Julieb Loc: LaSalle, Colorado

PhotoJosh wrote:

Yeah, it's into the distance. As a little tip, I like to do this with models who are just starting out, because they forget how to pose as soon as they get infront of a camera. Put them in front of a mirror and capture the reflection then you'll get much better results, and people looking at the photo won't even realise it's through a mirror.

Love your work Josh!

BUDDY36 Loc: Tennessee

PhotoJosh wrote:

Yeah, it's into the distance. As a little tip, I like to do this with models who are just starting out, because they forget how to pose as soon as they get infront of a camera. Put them in front of a mirror and capture the reflection then you'll get much better results, and people looking at the photo won't even realise it's through a mirror.

Mirror mirror on the wall who is the best picture taker of all?
Well Josh I think you are! LOL sorry could not resist.

Buddy 36...Really it is a very good shot.

bedgmon Loc: Burleson, Texas

Great shot Josh. I need a tutorial on this one. Did you meter on her eyes?