SIGforum
Photographers - Some advice?

This topic can be found at:
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/320601935/m/3180061664

February 02, 2020, 10:59 AM
PHPaul
Photographers - Some advice?
I have an idea I want to try out. Goes like this:

Take photo from outdoors, looking in through window to interior of house (my own...)

Resize, horizontally flip and print photo on decal paper.

Apply decal to acetate window "glazing" for scale model so that you are looking at the interior of the house through the window.

I've done the decal-on-acetate thing using a random interior photo off the web and the mechanics of it work.

I tried taking the actual photo of my house but got too much reflection/glare off the glass.

I know much of it was that the sun was at the wrong angle at that time of day and will re-try later. Also thinking I might try it after dark with the inside light on. Obviously using flash is not going to work.

Is this even possible without the window glass screwing things up? If so, how should I go about it?




Be careful when following the masses. Sometimes the M is silent.
February 02, 2020, 11:05 AM
Pipe Smoker
A polarizing filter will reduce specular reflections. Might help…



Serious about crackers.
February 02, 2020, 11:06 AM
Some Shot
Try an overcast day?
February 02, 2020, 11:09 AM
GJG
You're on the right track with photographing at night. Another option: A polarizing filter to kill the reflection off the glass, making sure the glass is completely clean. You'll need to try varying the angle of the camera to the glass to get the best effect. Rigging up a neutral (black would be best) sunscreen behind the camera to block what the window "sees" could help but is probably too big a PIA to do since the screen will need to be BIG. The longer the focal length of the lens you use the easier it is to eliminate reflections, but less of the interior will be visible.

And after saying all that, why not go inside the house and putting your back to the window take the shot? Window, what window?


Light bender eye mender
___________________________________________________________
Texas has yet to learn submission to any oppression, come from what source it may. Sam Houston
February 02, 2020, 11:17 AM
PHPaul
Taking the shot from inside was my first thought, but two issues prevent that:

1. This is a Nikon P510 that does not have interchangeable lenses, and I don't have a wide angle lens anyway.

2. The window in question is a bay window and getting close enough to the wall even with a wide angle to get much of the room would be problematic.

I will have to see about a polarizing lens, thanks for that.




Be careful when following the masses. Sometimes the M is silent.
February 02, 2020, 11:41 AM
lizardman_u
Take a sheet and make a scrim (blocks out extra light).

Make a sort of tent over the window so that you can photograph without glare on the window.

This could be as simple as a lean-to. Staple a sheet to the siding of the house and stretch it horizontally and support with a couple poles.


__________________________
More blessed than I deserve.
http://davesphotography7055.zenfolio.com/f238091154
February 02, 2020, 12:16 PM
VictimNoMore
Another suggestion would be to do this at dusk or dawn. Wait for the outside light to equalize with the inside light (make sure you turn on as many lights inside as you can).
If you use a white balance for the inside lights (most likely they will be at 3200*K, tungsten lighting), the outside light will be a soft blue color.
Conversely, if you use daylight white balance, the inside tungsten lights will be a warm yellow.
Regardless...wait for the outside and inside light brightness to be closer to each other.
Hope this helps.
February 02, 2020, 01:16 PM
LS1 GTO
Polarization filter and no flash or other lighting from behind the camera. All lights on inside the house.






Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.



"If dogs don't go to Heaven, I want to go where they go" Will Rogers

The definition of the words we used, carry a meaning of their own...



February 02, 2020, 07:16 PM
PHPaul
Well, lights from across the road pretty well rule out a night shot, so I guess I'll just have to do the best I can from inside.

Thanks for the ideas tho.




Be careful when following the masses. Sometimes the M is silent.
February 04, 2020, 07:08 AM
GJG
One more thought: Could you take several overlapping shots from the inside and stitch them together to make a montage with the wide angle effect you need? Might be easier than building a wall outside to screen reflections


Light bender eye mender
___________________________________________________________
Texas has yet to learn submission to any oppression, come from what source it may. Sam Houston