How do I avoid flash reflections in windows when photographing people indoors at an evening event?
Asked 10/14/2016
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I’m photographing a party in a lodge starting around 5:30 p.m., so it will be getting dark. The room is large and circular with high dark wood beams and windows around most of the space. Vendors will be set up in front of the windows, and I need to photograph them without getting obvious flash reflections in the glass behind them. What are practical ways to light and compose these shots to minimize reflections?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
9y ago
2 Answers
3
These are a few options you could try:
- Is flash required? Will there be enough ambient light in the room so you can get away with a wider aperture/higher ISO?
- Use the subject to hide the reflection. When composing your shot, make sure that they are directly in line between the window and the flash, so when it goes off it won't be seen.
- Purposefully shoot so that the reflection can be seen in the window, but make it as easy as possible just to clone out.
- Is off camera flash an option? Position your light source at an angle so it lights the scene, but the reflection is not seen.
- A bit more blunt than point 3 and depending on your editing skills. As it's going to be dark outside so will just be black. Don't worry. Fix in post. It's always preferable to get right on camera. But this could be an option.
This isn't an exhaustive list. I'm sure others will have plenty of other ideas.
A note though, you may want to shoot a narrower aperture, and move the subject as far back from the windows as you can, just to kill some of the ambient reflection as this will light up smears and fingerprints though.
Originally by user55814. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user55814
9y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—there are a few practical ways to reduce or avoid flash reflections in the windows:
- If possible, use less flash: raise ISO, open the aperture, or use available light if the room allows.
- Position the subject so they block the flash reflection in the window behind them.
- Use off-camera flash or move your light to the side so the light hits the subject but reflects away from the camera.
- Diffusing or masking the flash can help create softer, more even light and reduce harsh glare.
- If the venue has curtains or shades, close them behind the subject.
- If space allows, use a backdrop behind the vendor instead of the window.
- Since it will be dark outside, reflections may be less noticeable than you expect.
- If a small reflection remains, compose so it’s easy to retouch later.
In general, the best fix is changing the angle between camera, flash, and window: direct on-camera flash aimed straight at glass is most likely to reflect back.
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