reflections

sineadw

hey all. I've been asked to take some shots for the brother who's a stone mason. Headstones to be precise, for a brochure. Most of them are in the yard, which is outdoor and in a built up area, and because the stone is highly polished and not moveable I'm getting some awful reflections. Like this one:



As you can see, the stone is very busy so I can't really clone. I've tried bringing the levels up and then masking and painting in the brighter area, but its resulted in a look something similar to someone knocking a chunk out of the stone and then sticking it in again. Whis is obviolsly not good. They need to be commercial quality.

I'm wondering - are the photos workable (this is an extreme example) or do I need to do a reshoot? And how the hell would I go about reshooting anyway?! How does one photograph a mirror without getting the reflection Not sure a polariser would work? Or would it?

CabanSail

I would re-shoot with a CPL to minimise the reflections. The effect of the Bevelling will be lost as it's only showing due to the reflections.

The only other option would be to have a huge back drop behind you, but that would be awkward.

sineadw

I thought Polarisers only worked at an angle though? Or am I way off there?

ThOnda

CPL reduces light polarized in some angle. But the angle could be from any direction - right, left, top...
It's worth trying. Even if you try to shoot it a little from side and then correct the distorsion in processing, it would be worth a try. Not to mention shooting in the evening using lights :-)
What about huuuuuuge black backdrop in front of it to have reflection only of the black matter?

sineadw

Actually, would a black reflector do any good I wonder? Held up, like.. I have one of those, whereas I don't have an 82mm CPL filter. Which is a stupid amount of money.

trishw78

have you tried a Cokin P size CPL much cheaper

ThOnda

The marble is polished, so it is going reflect anything following some rules of physics and optics. If you could get into the reflection anything dark and without structure, that should do. Even few helpers holding painted cardboard will help.

LeoB

For a back drop could you use a dark sheet on a clothesline?

Please dont laugh but could you use or make up some sort of tent or sheet to cut out the reflections? You could then adjust the shots later

ajsp.

Is there any way of getting shots of work already done and in place???
Might be a way of by-passing your reflection problem

steelydan99

You dont have to buy the top of the range CPL Sinead, if you are just trying to get rid of reflections.

Try here for $12 and free shipping its worth a shot to invest.

http://www.focalprice.com/82mm_Filter_CPL_Transparent_DI230T_8189.html

John