photos through glass

XxRachxX · 07-07-03, 06:51 PM

does anyone have any tips for taking photos through glass? i just dont know how you guys do it!!
usually i just randomly play around with modes and angles till i get one!
its really bugging me, all the zoos round here seem to have glass fronted enclosures for everything! which is not good... for me at least!

i may be "upgrading" my camera soon. one of the ones with the lenses/fancy stuff..... sorry for the crap terminology! i dont know much.... i just like to take photos!!
so if theres any special technical things feel free to tell me those too

just using your regular digital camera.... for now.... mwhahaha:
cheers

Big Mike · 07-08-03, 08:36 AM

When taking pictures through glass, you have to be aware of the lighting. If you use the flash and you are shooting perpendicular to the glass then you will get a picture of your flash reflecting off the glass.

If you can, turn off the flash and make sure that there is lots of light on the subject. I have found that pictures of indoor enclosures at "zoos" are very hard to get. It us usually much too dark.

If your flash is needed for good lighting then try to shoot through the glass at an angle that will not reflect the light back at the camera. You could also put the lens right up against the glass.

As with most herp pics...have your digital camera in macro mode and get as close as possible.

Lisa · 07-08-03, 10:21 AM

i do what mike said, and having clean glass is a help, specially if you use a flash

Nibs · 07-08-03, 10:34 AM

If you seriously want pics through glass, you should use something to act as a shield all the way around the camera.

Ever look into water using a tube or box to block all the reflections out? Same theory.

Rig a box with rubber edges that can sit against the glass and a "curtain" in the back. You can hold your camera in it, using the curtain behind you to block out any light from the back of the box. You won't be able to use the flash but if you make sure the glass in the area is clean, they should turn out pretty well.

If you make it hinged or have fabric seams, it would fold and be easier to cart around.

BAZ · 07-08-03, 10:45 AM

Keep your lens as close to the glass as possible... My lens is touching the glass sometimes when I take pics through glass. This way you get less of the crap that is on dirty glass showing in your pic. Play with angling your camera to get less of the reflections on the glass showing. Sometimes I use my hand or a piece of paper and hold it over the camera to get rid of reflections.

I don't like to use a flash when I am shooting through glass so it is best to use a tripod (especially if you are taking a pic indoors in low light) because without a flash your shutter speed will be slower to let more light in... if your camera moves a little it will give you a blurry pic. Using a tripod will eliminate this problem most of the time. Try setting the camera to go off 2 seconds after you press the button so this way the camera will not move at all even when you click it.

I took these pics through glass:

Colonel SB · 07-08-03, 10:47 AM

Those are some killer shots Baz, love the caimans.

BAZ · 07-08-03, 11:29 AM

Thanks Colonel! I like the one of the baby nile croc.. he looks so bloody evil! haha.

drewlowe · 07-08-03, 11:36 AM

those are some great photos. Instead of me wasting film and time i should just have you come down and take some pics of my guys and gals for me.

Big Mike · 07-08-03, 12:10 PM

Very nice pics BAZ.

Invictus · 07-08-03, 12:23 PM

Baz - Sweet-*** shots, and god advice. I'm going to print that out.

My only6 word of advice is to make sure your light source is in front of the camera, not behind it. If you have a light source behind you, it's sure to reflect off the glass.

BAZ · 07-08-03, 01:24 PM

thanks guys

XxRachxX · 07-10-03, 04:05 PM

Thanks SO much

last time i was taking photos through glass i was just randomly trying different angles, and hoping it would turn out!!
i think i need to take window cleaner out with me!!

nibs: that sounds like a nifty idea! i may try it for when im at "work" ..(volunteering) i dont want look like a pleb pressing a box against a window when im in public....... hehe! lots of strange looks..... then again. people look at me wierd when i insist on stopping every 2 seconds to photograph every animal in the zoo....

recently i found my other digital cameras memory card.. and there are some pretty good shots on there!! ill post some in my gallery if anyone wants to seeee

Mason · 07-13-03, 12:19 AM

not sure if it has been said but, adjusting the shutter speed and a tripod works really good for me
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