Shooting reflective surfaces (Avoiding reflections?)

V

vision_filmz

Carbonite Member
Things like glasses, car/house windows, water, etc. I know about using polarizers to help reduce reflections, but I'm talking 100% like you see in the movies and tv. How do you shoot these shots that you see in car commercials especially where you see no camera or crew at all?


Thanks
 
These days, there is a lot of digital painting to remove things like that... but for the most part it's a game of angles... the cinematographer will do his or her best to avoid being seen. If on a stage, the set will be dark and everyone, including the camera equipment, will be all black, so they 'blend in'. In care commercials outside, they avoid reflections by planning out angles, and also digitally paint out whatever is. Especially on those commercials that paint out the rigging from the car.


This is one way they do it if it's not car to car shooting with russian arm....

This is someone doing a cheap mans version of what the real deal is:
This is typically with a really wide angle lens which can see the support beam, but they paint it out later.

6a00c2251f0d59f21900c22ew4.jpg
 
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Beyond CGI I have heard of "dulling spray" to tone down metal objects in frame (eg spoons)

The art department - even if that is you - can help - choice of crockery glasses and the like

Could you use a frosted or matt glass instead of a super shiny wine glasses ?

Drink beer from cans/dark bottles not glasses

I think the most important thing is to watch like a hawk.. even a reflection of shadow of a moving boom will mean the shot goes in the bin

As for bathrooms with mirrors on three walls hmmm.

Both shots involve mirrors !

Obtuse angle..
2.jpg

Tele photo lens

1.jpg


S
 
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