Hello!
I have been shooting interiors lately and been having an issue with the windows. I want to see thru or out the window but cut down on the light coming in. I am wondering if there is a film or covering that you can put on the outside of windows that still allows a little light into the room. But that the viewer will not notice in the image??
Am I crazy?
Full Version: Window light
Im not quite sure what you are trying to accomplish, but it kind of sounds like you want to expose for the interior and still have the outside exposed as well. If this is the case, just use photoshop. Stick your camera on a tripod and expose for the interior, then take another shot exposing for the window. Stick them together and you are good to go. Hope this is what you were asking
If you're looking for an actual product that will do what you're asking, click here Hope this helps....
Or consider buying rolls of ND (neutral density) gels and attaching them to the outsides of the windows.
.3 = 1 stop
.6 = 2 stops
.9 = 3 stops
.3 = 1 stop
.6 = 2 stops
.9 = 3 stops
Thanks!!
The neutral density film was exactly what I had in mind!!
Thanks
The neutral density film was exactly what I had in mind!!
Thanks
Going hdr may also prove to be a good solution. It will let you keep details and the quality of the light coming in the window.
You can also increase the power or number of flashes you use inside to more closely match the daylight level outside.
It's tricky because you also want to use small apertures for increased depth-of-field, so you need a lot of power.
Gelling the windows will work, and you can even double them up, but they are cumbersome, blow around in the wind and sometimes show odd reflections and ripples when they catch the light. Not to mention if you're shooting on the second floor or above... then rigging the gels gets a little dangerous.
I think increasing the interior light level, or simply blowing out the windows is a better way to go than gels. I like the look of blown out windows, but some don't. If the interior is the "main character" then I find the view out the window to be distracting.
If you match inside to outside too closely, it looks fake. Unless you really need to see the view through the window, just let them blow out.
It's tricky because you also want to use small apertures for increased depth-of-field, so you need a lot of power.
Gelling the windows will work, and you can even double them up, but they are cumbersome, blow around in the wind and sometimes show odd reflections and ripples when they catch the light. Not to mention if you're shooting on the second floor or above... then rigging the gels gets a little dangerous.
I think increasing the interior light level, or simply blowing out the windows is a better way to go than gels. I like the look of blown out windows, but some don't. If the interior is the "main character" then I find the view out the window to be distracting.
If you match inside to outside too closely, it looks fake. Unless you really need to see the view through the window, just let them blow out.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.