how to shoot a picture in a glass frame???

[ldivinag]

i need to shoot a portrait picture that is permanently frame with glass.

right now, lots of reflection, no matter how little light.

what would be the best way?

thanks.

[robertwgross]

The standard technique is to set up the camera perfectly straight-on with the frame glass, on a tripod, of course. Set up two flash units on the sides, each at a 45 degree angle to the frame glass. Try it.

---Bob Gross---

[fotog]

Bob was right about the lights at 45 degree angles. After that turning out all the lights in the room except your strobes will help. Shoot at night if the room has any windows. Also I have had to cover my tripod with black cloth to avoid its reflection. If that still dosen't work hang a black background behind you. I just did a job last week shooting chrome. All of the above except the black background behind me wasn't necessary.
Bill

[robertwgross]

Bill, it sounds like you have been down this road before. I discovered that there are many types of frame glass, and some reflects and some other does not. To aid in knocking out reflections, I use a big piece of black velvet fabric to cover over any shiny tripods or things.

---Bob Gross---

[mattchase]

The first two things that came to my mind are this (in this order).

Remove the glass. We do this whenever possible, even if it means removing the brown paper taped to the back of professionally framed peices. It's not the easiest thing, you risk damaging the glass and the art, but it is the de-facto solution to the problem.

If the above isn't possible, use a polorizing filter. This will help, though maybe not entirely get rid of reflections. If it doesn't, then also use a dark clothe or paper or whatnot in front of anything that is reflecting.

[D60DIETER]

Hi to everyone,

I had to deal with a similar problem and here is what I did. I put a peace of foil on the glas. The one that you use to protect the screen of a PDA. This foil is light matte but not so bad for the quality of the picture underneath.

Dieter

[GenDEM]

Man, just get a tripod and a polarizor. Polarizors eliminate reflections from smooth surfaces.

[imago57]

Depending on how critical color rendition is, you may want to consider that a polarizer filter may cool off the colors of the art inside the frame. If you find that it is indispensable to use a polirizer, then take a shot with a 50% grey card in the picture first, and then go ahead with your regular shot. Later you will use the picture with the 50% grey card in it to balance the color.

[cowman345]

I saw something somewhere that described this technique... not sure if I have it right, but here it is:

One light on either side, 45 degree angle as stated before. In front of each light use a linear polarizer (film sheet) vertically for one, horizontally for the other.

does this sound about right?

-dave-