Car photography and reflections

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jonny392

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Jonny
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So I am a total amateur when it comes to photography. I photograph a lot of cars and I am wondering how I can reduce the reflections off the car on brighter days. I use a Canon EOS Rebel T4i with a EFS 18-55mm lens. Camera settings are set to Manual mode, F5.6, ISO 200, 1/200. What am I doing wrong or what other equipment do I need to purchase to reduce the glare on the car especially on the windscreen and bonnet of the vehicle?

Thanks in advance

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Cpl definitely

And really no need to be shooting in manual at these fixed settings. Light can change a lot sending you on a wild ride with exposure
 
A Cpl is the "easy" answer and works well enough when the conditions are right (basically the correct angle of incidence and the correct rotation adjustment) but there are other ways too.

Avoiding sunlight is an obvious way forward. The most professional but most difficult technique involves using a scrim, placed above the car and supported in place as necessary. A scrim is not a diffuser (which also works but not as well). A scrim is a piece of black material with thousands of holes in it, this dramatically reduces the amount of light reaching the parts of the subject that are currently producing unwanted reflections.
 
A cpl works well for much of the time and I wouldn't be shooting any (daylight) car photography without one. That said scrims, black boards etc will help control reflections on different parts of the car.
 
Am I right in saying that the CPL will reduce/eliminate the glare on the windscreen but won't affect it from paintwork or any exposed metal?
 
It'll reduce it from paint but, you're right, it'll have little to no effect on reflections from metal.
 
skullfunkerry said:
Am I right in saying that the CPL will reduce/eliminate the glare on the windscreen but won't affect it from paintwork or any exposed metal?
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Try it and see.
Using one is generally helpful but as well as being dependent on the angles, it can't work at all on bare metal, can work less well on metallic paint and can produce some strange effects on windscreens - I suspect but don't know that rain sensors may contain metal.

With care, a Cpl will work to a greater or lesser extent, but isn't a magic bullet:(
 
If I'm taking a really special image, then tripod, CPL, and a couple of shots blended together because to lose reflections on one surface you often gain some on another.

Generally though, it's a case of finding the best compromise - which is much better anyway than not using a filter at all.
 
Garry Edwards said:
can produce some strange effects on windscreens
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Rear screens show their hardening patterns but few modern front screens are hardened these days - they tend to be laminated. Polarising sunglasses show what is (and isn't!) affected.
 
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