Shooting through glass - filters?

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ivandobski

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I've just been looking through some zoo pictures taken a while ago. Unfortunately at lot of the more interesting shots were ruined by glare and reflection from the glass enclosures. I was trying to shot flat on to the glass as much as possible and had the lens hood on but still had a few problems.

Is this the right approach to take and would filters help, I seem to recall hearing polarising filters are the answer?

Cheers,

Edit - Leopard pics in question here: http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=286032
 
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a polarising filtter would certainly help yes...
 
A circular polariser will only help if you're shooting through the glass at an angle or around 30-60 degrees. If you shoot head on to the glass it won't make any difference.
 
Cheap but useable circ pols can be had for less then £10 but can also cost up to £100, im a tight wad so bought one for £7 and its great
 
One method aside from filters is to fit a rubber lens hood and press this against the glass so it forms a light seal - as no light falls on the glass you are shooting through, you get no reflections.

It does of course rely on you being able to get close to the glass and not startle your subject.
 
I've found that if you cup your hand around the lens to make a seal it helps a lot.
 
i bought a cheap ebay polarizing filter (£5) and then i bought a expensive hoya polarizing filter (£30) i honestly couldnt tell the difference, obviously im sure there will be slight differences but for the extra cash personally i wouldnt bother!
 
I've wondered whether a rubber doughnut gasket attached to the front of the lens would help with shooting through glass when you're unable to darken the room on your side of the glass (admittedly I was thinking of aquariums at the time rather than big cats). Someting wide and flexible that would sit flush on the glass and allow a degree of angular movement of the lens.
 
Alastair said:
I've wondered whether a rubber doughnut gasket attached to the front of the lens would help with shooting through glass when you're unable to darken the room on your side of the glass (admittedly I was thinking of aquariums at the time rather than big cats). Someting wide and flexible that would sit flush on the glass and allow a degree of angular movement of the lens.
Click to expand...

I have been shooting birds in the back garden recently, using a flash. I have found that this method (well, actually, I was using the black solid plastic hood which came with the lens) really did cut down the reflections. Might try and get a longer rubber one though, as I do have to lean over a work surface.


BTW: Instead of actually frightening the birds, some of them are actually intrigued by the flash, and have come right up to the window. So close I cannot focus
 
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coldpenguin said:
I have been shooting birds in the back garden recently, using a flash. I have found that this method (well, actually, I was using the black solid plastic hood which came with the lens) really did cut down the reflections. Might try and get a longer rubber one though, as I do have to lean over a work surface.


BTW: Instead of actually frightening the birds, some of them are actually intrigued by the flash, and have come right up to the window. So close I cannot focus
Click to expand...

I've been quite surprised by just how quickly even the shyest birds become used to the flashes going off.


Return of the thief.. by SaltGeorge, on Flickr
 
Using a hood to cut down reflections will help but you need to be careful that you dont damage your lens if it is the type that extends when it focusses.
 
I've got a rubber lens hood on a 2nd hand lens I've just bought so I can try this out soonish with any luck. cheers for the advice guys.
 
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