lightchime Loc: Somewhere Over The Rainbow

I obsessed with removing/reducing the highlights but was less than completely successful.

Outdoors at rear entrance to Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, PA

2011 - Dec 30 - early morning

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Polarizer

lightchime Loc: Somewhere Over The Rainbow

A polarizer is the obvious answer. There were a couple problems with that idea however. The first is that I incorrectly rotated the one I had and it rolled into a a stream of water - too deep and rapid for its retrieval. The second problem is that metal surfaces do not polarize light waves and it would not work on the statue.

I have since bought a higher quality, very large polarizing filter and step up rings so that I can use it on all my lenses.

MCHUGH Loc: Jacksonville, Texas

The only way a polarizer would work is to use one using polarized light to light the metal surface. This would require all other light to not be present. On something like this I doubt it would be possible. In a studio set up it is a very easy job. With something like this I would try to find an angle probably up high above the statue and try to at least minimize the reflection.

lightchime Loc: Somewhere Over The Rainbow

MCHUGH,

I have many different exposures of this. As the perspective changes, so does the photograph and some work nicely. I like the way this one being off balance does not leave me uncomfortable visually. I like the almost negative space and the simplicity. I like that it seems to work even though it does not correspond with many common thoughts on composition. I even like the minimal color palate. The words are interesting because I do not consider myself an artist.

You are right. Using a non polarized light source as well as a polarized filter could be helpful. The angle of the light would have to change and it would have to be more diffuse. If it were not I would still have the highlight problem. Then again, the light problem is a technical one and I do not think the artistic qualities to be decreased because of the vertical light on the one leg.

I had considered shooting from a higher position, but again, that would have changed the basic image. Besides, I shot my series before the museum opened and I would have been a bit suspicious if I had brought a ladder.

I appreciate your comments. When someone gives me this kind of opinion, it is always after the fact. But they often work at sometime in the future. That is why opinions are so valuable.

MCHUGH Loc: Jacksonville, Texas

I did not mean that I did not like your original photograph. I do and the lighting did not bother me at all. I only meant to say if you did not want reflections in metal just using a polarizing filter alone can not remove the reflections from metal. You mentioned that i said use non polarized light but maybe you misunderstood what I said. You have to use both polarized light as well as a polarized filter to remove the reflection. You set your lights up all with their light projected on the object with all your filters turned in the same plane. Then turn the filter on the camera lens until the reflection is removed or greatly reduced. Just like making the sky bluer or water surface with out glare. I sometimes had to do a commercial job when I was in business that it was necessary to use this in the camera room when a product was metal or a mixture of both metal and something else.

lightchime Loc: Somewhere Over The Rainbow

I understood completely and took no offense. I agree with you. Unfortunately landscapes come with difficulties and are often compromises. We shoot for greatness, but settle for reality.

I put the picture out to be criticized. I hate hearing how great a picture is when I know there are problems. I have only one great picture on my wall - one printed by Ansel Adams. Tomorrow I drive my first nail to put up an intimate landscape that is coming from an exhibition. It is really nice but not great enough that someone bought it.

I could have put the Bronze statue up for the Photo Analysis Blog, but did not feel there was anything to gain. The few times I went there, I found mostly gratuitous complements - the reason I seldom visit Flikr.

Your time and thought are appreciated. I have more to post and hope to read your comments.

bruce b

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

What a great idea!