Jump to content

help with reflection


cerijames

Recommended Posts

I assume the main area of refection that you want to remove is of the Photographer. . .

 

It is difficult to do: but not impossible. Some members might give it a try (note this circumstance is a case where the terms of use concerning posting images only that you make yourself is relaxed).

 

If you have the opportunity to take the image again then that probably would be easier.

 

If the glass window is plain glass, then the correct use of a Circular Polarizing Filter on your lens will assist to reduce the reflection, if not remove it. Although it appears that you are using a P&S camera and that camera might not have a filter thread on it - it is still possible to use a Filter though - you could hold it in front of the camera's lens.

 

WW

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here is a 10 minute rough as an example only . . . using "cloning" technique as mentioned above

 

18395978-orig.jpg

 

As you can see the reflection of the Photographer is beginning to disappear, but there are still many other reflections, such as the garbage bins from behind the photographer, across the road . . . not to mention the really strong reflections of the buildings across the road . . . and the sky.

 

As I mentioned, "possible" - but to rebuild the image with no reflections at all will be exceptionally time consuming (probably very costly if you can find someone to take on the job professionally) and possibly not of an "acceptable" quality when it is done.

 

WW

Edited by William Michael
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thats a pretty severe case, and I am afraid, the methods that i mentioned may not be suitable to handle this. Its a very complex juxtaposition of the two gentlemen's image over that of the photographer alongside the buildings and the walls.

 

On a different note, complex reflections on glass are not always bad. Agreed, the reflections obscure what you wanted to capture, but why not make the reflections your subject instead. I specially like the man's expression with open mouth right behind the photographer.

 

Untitled-530.thumb.jpg.d84e76cdae0f00d12b3088dd46b3367e.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A circular polariser, or linear for that matter, will not significantly reduce a head-on reflection like this. Polarisers only work to reduce reflections at an angle to reflective surfaces like glass or water.

 

I take it the picture was to show the decoration on the glass? Not an easy thing to do at all without specialised kit like a shift lens and polarising filter. Even then you might have to take multiple shots and stitch them together in post.

 

Shooting at an angle to avoid your own reflection would require the later application of perspective correction in an image editor.

 

If you have the co-operation of the owners, then pulling any curtains or blinds would help considerably.

 

FWIW. The strange effect in my self-portrait above was caused by shooting my reflection in a double-glazed window. No multiple exposure or any other trickery - just a double reflection.

Edited by rodeo_joe|1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is a mathematical technique called PCA, or Principal Component Analysis, that can sometimes separate additive images.

 

I don't know that there are any of the usual programs that do it, though.

 

Basically, it works on statistical correlations, where some components (such as colors) change in some places, while others don't.

 

If the reflection is much stronger than the non-reflection, though, it is pretty much lost, unless you have a very high S/N ratio.

Edited by glen_h

-- glen

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...