Some advice please...

[tjc]

Hi all...

Been around here for wee while now but still very much a newbie to DSLR photography, so was wondering if I could get some advice.

I have to take a shot or two of my late dad`s headstone for his brother who would like the pics as he does not live up here, where my dad is buried.

Now I`ve already had to do the same with some other family members gravestone`s (same reason) and so far they seem to be coming out quite well but my dad`s has more of a smooth, polished finish to it and therefor I`m getting a lot of reflection of other gravestones, the path etc etc in the shots...

I want to do the best job I can and get a nice pic for my uncle so does anybody have any advice or info/ideas I could try to lessen the reflections atall?

Be very much appreciated.

Cheers.

tj.

 

[dod]

If you can't change the position from which you're shooting to try to avoid the reflections the next thing I'd go for would be a polarising filter. That should do the job for you.

 

[Chappers]

Try moving off to one side, that may help. Also try getting lower than a normal standing position. The shiny surface is acting like a mirror, so you don't want it reflecting any light areas such as the sky. After that it's a polarising filter I'm afraid

 

[Garry Edwards]

Polarising filters only work at the right (and limited) angle so their usefulness is limited too.

There are 2 things to think about here....
1. The angle of reflectance equals the angle of incidence - this means that light reflects away at the same angle that it strikes the subject, so you need to take the shot either in very dull conditions or when the light is striking at an oblique angle (which will emphasise the lettering) and bounce off at the same angle, where it doesn't reflect into the lens.
2. You need to avoid yourself and everything behind reflecting from the gravestone. Shooting at an oblique angle will only work well if there's nothing to reflect, so the best approach is to shoot straight on and block all reflective subjects. Get a large sheet of black cloth, get someone to hold it in front of you, cut a small hole for the lens and shoot through that.

Hope this helps

 

[tjc]

Many thanks for the reply`s.

Much appreciated.

@ dod and Chappers

Thanks lads... I`ve tried changing position and getting down quite low but still getting reflections... will maybe have to try the polarising filter...

@ Garry Edwards

Thanks for the advice. I`ll give it a go when I think the light is at an oblique angle as if that will emphasise the lettering then I`ll be happy with that and it should add to the shot me thinks...

I have tried in dull conditions but I think I could maybe try that again too.

After that I`ll try the black sheet maybe... (although I might look like a real weirdo, Lol ) I thought of trying to do something to block out the reflections and this sounds like a good suggestion.

Cheers again lads...

I`ll let you know how I get on.

 

[Garry Edwards]

After that I`ll try the black sheet maybe... (although I might look like a real weirdo, Lol ) I thought of trying to do something to block out the reflections and this sounds like a good suggestion.

Cheers again lads...

I`ll let you know how I get on.

You may look a bit strange - but it's the only method that will work

 

[tjc]

You may look a bit strange - but it's the only method that will work

Yeh... I`m cool with that... looking weird I mean, lol...

And quite willing to give it a try.

It does seem to be the best way of getting rid of the reflections although not tried the filter yet.

I`ll see how I go.