Eliminating Reflections In Glasses

Eliminating Reflections In Glasses

I am often asked about eliminating reflections in glasses during a shoot. The good news is that modern anti-reflective coatings are quite effective. However, there are still some challenges to consider.

Understanding Reflections

When photographing someone wearing glasses, you might notice a blue-purple band at the top of the lenses. This is the reflection of light bouncing back to the camera, which can create an unusual haze due to the anti-reflective coating. To address this issue, the most logical approach is to adjust your angles. For instance, by simply asking your subject to look up and drop their chin slightly, you can often find the moment when the reflections disappear.

Adjusting Angles

Another technique involves having your subject shift their face slightly towards you. This change in the angle of incidence can significantly reduce reflections. If you want to capture that specific shot where your subject is looking up at the lights, there’s an additional trick. Ask them to tilt their glasses forward just a little. This adjustment can help minimize reflections while still achieving the desired look.

Post-Production Considerations

While it is possible to remove reflections in post-production, many photographers feel that this approach can feel like cheating. Instead, focusing on these practical techniques during the shoot can lead to more authentic results. By mastering these simple adjustments, you can enhance your portrait photography and create images that truly shine, even with reflective spectacles.