Photographing through windows: This seems to be counter intuitive. How much distortion are we talking about here? Do we know? Is it observable? Aren’t we advised to buy the highest...

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

This seems to be counter intuitive. How much distortion are we talking about here? Do we know? Is it observable? Aren’t we advised to buy the highest quality filter if we use a filter? 🥴🥴

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Depends on the window(s).
Some historical buildings have real wonky window glass.
It depends on the cleanliness of the windows as well as
the intention on the subject through the window.

Well, the filter is the only thing under one's control.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

Sometimes there is no alternative, so when you are shooting through a window ensure the glass is clean on both sides if possible and place the lens either on or very near the window, a hood can help to stop light coming from behind. This is how I make sure the image is as good as possible.

Quixdraw Loc: x

If the options are to miss a shot or take it through a window, the photographer chooses. Some images are so good as to be undetectable as shot through glass. I have gotten quite a few of shy birds I otherwise would have missed.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

gvarner wrote:

This seems to be counter intuitive. How much distortion are we talking about here? Do we know? Is it observable? Aren’t we advised to buy the highest quality filter if we use a filter? 🥴🥴

I have taken shots though my hotel window on my many business trips to Asia, and they turned out quite good.

Try to shoot straight through the glass, and not at an angle. I like to use a roll down rubber hood, and hold it right against the glass.

If the sun is shining on the glass, results won't be very good.

W9OD Loc: Wisconsin

Glass is a fluid. Really old windows will actually be thicker at the bottom, also because of the age, will have ripples which will distort the image.

We live in the country. I will photograph wildlife through the window only because opening it will scare them away.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

My suburban has tinted glass. You can't tell its tinted unless you roll down he window a bit and then compare the scenery looking thru the glass and then not looking thru the glass. There is also something about the auto glass itself that will distort your pictures but I can't remember what it is.

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

jim quist wrote:

My suburban has tinted glass. You can't tell its tinted unless you roll down he window a bit and then compare the scenery looking thru the glass and then not looking thru the glass. There is also something about the auto glass itself that will distort your pictures but I can't remember what it is.

Perhaps it is Lamination/ Safety Glass !

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

gvarner wrote:

This seems to be counter intuitive. How much distortion are we talking about here? Do we know? Is it observable? Aren’t we advised to buy the highest quality filter if we use a filter? 🥴🥴

Shot through a storm door window at about 65 ft. Coolpix B700, equivalent focal length 500mm, handheld. It's either get the shot through glass or not at all as opening the door would have scattered the deer. This was the last one in a herd of three. Just had time to grab my camera and get the shot.

(Download)

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Both of these were shot through windows ( car windshield) because it was too cold to be outside.

(Download)

Christian Von Goller

A good polar filter helps with window glare. Nice shots!

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

And then there is purposefully shooting through old distorted glass for the effect. Still using a rubber hood or not depending on you.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

The best way to avoid reflections is to make your side of the glass darker than the other side.

alphonso49uk

I took hundreds of pics through quite dirty glass in a 4x4 on a recent trip to ethiopia....with pleasing results in the main.Get really near to the glass to avoid reflections.The haze filter in lightroom also works wonders

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

quixdraw wrote:

If the options are to miss a shot or take it through a window, the photographer chooses. Some images are so good as to be undetectable as shot through glass. I have gotten quite a few of shy birds I otherwise would have missed.

I was going to say exactly the same thing; wild animals often just don't hang around when you go outside to get a better shot, so you just have to do the best you can. Another example is shooting through the window in an airplane or train. It really is not practical to go outside nor do you have much opportunity to clean the glass.