Photographing paintings behind glass

[RooFlyer]

I need to get good photographs of two paintings which are behind glass, in frames.

Is there a technique to get a front-on pic and avoiding reflections / light glare? We have complete control of the paintings (ie not in a gallery) but can't remove them from their frames. Paintings are abt 45cm square

We've tried shooting through a small hole in a plain sheet of card, but that didn't work well. Should we persevere? - How do you avoid the black circle in the center of the image (ie camera lens/the hole)?

Am using a hand-held digital camera, so no option for fancy lenses or filters. But if there's a great technique with those, I could see if I can source.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I need to get good photographs of two paintings which are behind glass, in frames.

Is there a technique to get a front-on pic and avoiding reflections / light glare? We have complete control of the paintings (ie not in a gallery) but can't remove them from their frames. Paintings are abt 45cm square

We've tried shooting through a small hole in a plain sheet of card, but that didn't work well. Should we persevere? - How do you avoid the black circle in the center of the image (ie camera lens/the hole)?

Am using a hand-held digital camera, so no option for fancy lenses or filters. But if there's a great technique with those, I could see if I can source.

Try holding a polarising filter in-front of the lens

 

[Pushka]

Some cameras have a special Scene function - check on the dial where you can change the shutter speed etc - that is for items behind glass. I suspect it is as TheRealTMA suggests that an Inbuilt polarising feature is used.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks both ... but just to encourage the answers to keep coming, what to do about the reflections (ie the picture taker in the glass )

I'm thinking some sort of matt laminating film put onto the glass. Might be a bit expensive, but so are the paintings!

 

[TheRealTMA]

Thanks both ... but just to encourage the answers to keep coming, what to do about the reflections (ie the picture taker in the glass )

I'm thinking some sort of matt laminating film put onto the glass. Might be a bit expensive, but so are the paintings!

Polarising filter eliminates reflections.

 

[RooFlyer]

Polarising filter eliminates reflections.

Ah, of course. Thank you. <Dimly recalls first year physics at Uni ... >

 

[TheRealTMA]

Ah, of course. Thank you. <Dimly recalls first year physics at Uni ... >

Don‘t forget you must rotate the filter to get the appropriate blocking.

Polarised sunglasses will do at a pinch but they will darken the image as well.

or maybe something like this. US $2.05 9% OFF|Polarized Polarizer Filter Film Sheet For Gamboy GB DMG/ GBP /GBA /GBC/ GBASP/ NGP Backlit Screen Modify Part Polarizing|Replacement Parts & Accessories| - AliExpress

Actually, if you can’t find anything, I have a couple of filters somewhere but never use them anymore. PM me.

 

[Pushka]

Polarising filter eliminates reflections.

As does the setting on the camera for this very purpose . That's why it's a setting.

 

[RooFlyer]

something like this. US $2.05 9% OFF|Polarized Polarizer Filter Film Sheet For Gamboy GB DMG/ GBP /GBA /GBC/ GBASP/ NGP Backlit Screen Modify Part Polarizing|Replacement Parts & Accessories| - AliExpress

Ta. Should be able to rustle up a half-competent and equipped photographer to replace the 'current' one and use a polariser lens.

As does the setting on the camera for this very purpose . That's why it's a setting.

Yeah, sorry. I thought you were both talking about glare at first, forgetting that sun glare is the same as people reflections

 

[TheRealTMA]

As does the setting on the camera for this very purpose . That's why it's a setting.

Yes but not all cameras have such a filter. None of my digital ones do. Neutral density, yes, but not polarised.

Which cameras have inbuilt polariser?

 

[Pushka]

Yes but not all cameras have such a filter. None of my digital ones do. Neutral density, yes, but not polarised.

Which cameras have inbuilt polariser?

It is a Panasonic Lumix.

 

[vmile]

Photographing works, well, under glass is not easy. Sometimes easier just to take the work out of the frame... sorry.

Traditional solution is to diffuse light the work 2 or more lights at a 45 degree angle to the work's surface.
The light source often then have to have polarising filters placed in front of them.

Mount camera on a tripod, use remote trigger, black sheet around the camera. Then curse a lot when it still does not work.

Also some types of glass seem much worse than others. if your works are worth looking after, get them reglazed with museum glass. Does not cost much for small works, often better UV protection than what is on there, and much less reflection/clearer viewing of the work.

Rather sadly, most of the great works of art, around the world, for security reasons are now under this type of glass. I still think it 'dulls' the image slightly. If you step right to the side of the work, you can usually just see the glass.

And while you are getting them reglazed..they are out of the frame- easy to photo then.

Most Auction houses have a specialised rig/studio set-up to photo works under glass- can be a bit of a black art.

 

[RooFlyer]

Sometimes easier just to take the work out of the frame... sorry.

Impossible in this case, at least for my purpose.

if your works are worth looking after, get them reglazed with museum glass.

They are collectively worth +$40K; part of the collection of a small organisation. They are usually tucked away in their fireproof & secure room. I'm pretty sure they won't see the value in re-glazing, but I'll pass the information on; many thanks.

 

[Happy Trails]

And remember to put some clothes on, just in case.

 

[TheRealTMA]

And remember to put some clothes on, just in case.

It’s Tasmania! Who would See you?

 

[RooFlyer]

It’s Tasmania! Who would See you?

If the book is popular enough, quite a few!

 

[Daver6]

Thanks both ... but just to encourage the answers to keep coming, what to do about the reflections (ie the picture taker in the glass )

I think the simplest solution is just make sure your pants are on

 

[ausfox]

Have you turned off the flash?

 

[relaxalot]

Thanks both ... but just to encourage the answers to keep coming, what to do about the reflections (ie the picture taker in the glass )

I'm thinking some sort of matt laminating film put onto the glass. Might be a bit expensive, but so are the paintings!

Hi Rooflyer, It's a bit clunky and may not suit your purpose but it is possible to shoot slightly offset, just enough that the reflections are of (for example) a black card or drape which will minimise or eliminate visible reflections and then to correct the shot in post processing to make it appear front on.
In the Mac world, DXO perspective does this ($10 in the App store) but there must be others available. It works well. If you start with a decent quality original and don't need to crop too much then the corrected version is indistinguishable in normal viewing from a front on shot but without the reflections of the picture taker.
We use this approach in galleries to take the shot from whatever angle minimises glare/reflection and correct later.

 

[phily]

Photographing anything in a glass frame is very challenging. I like to do time-lapse photos of aircraft moving around at airports and that usually involves attaching my GoPro to the lounge window, but it gets too many light reflections. My tool for removing reflections in that case is a Lenskirt lens hood.

The ideal for photographing an item like you have requires a much larger item to prevent reflections, plus you then need a light source. Commercial photographers will have large black drapes they fashion into a type of tent, and then use two light stands inside that tent. So really, if you want an excellent job done I'd recommend that you take it to a photographic studio and have them do it for you. Of course that'll depend on the value of the item to be photographed.