Hello,

I have a BIG problem (well, big.. just a problem)

I want to shoot at night, in a livingroom, against a window. Problem is: you see reflections! I can see the camera in the window etc..

How can i deal with this?
Is there some lighting tip? Such as lighting the window too? I dont have a clue!

So maybe one of you do! And i wil very much thank you!

Greetings,
Jerry

Polarizing filter.

How does that work? Because if it can take away full reflections (and i meen that the window is like a mirror, you see persons in it) Than it will trow away videoinformation... So wont i loose a huge amount of detail?

Wikipedia explains it better than I can, but it cuts down on reflected light rays entering the camera lens. In some cases it can kill a reflection in windows or mirrors.

The only 100% guaranteed method would be to move the camera until you no longer see anything in the reflection.

Is the shot *through* the window, or is there just a window in the shot? The best and fastest way is just to move the lights/camera until there are no annoying reflections. Alternately, you can take out the glass from the window (not easy) or try a polarizing filter - although this is not going to fix the problem 100% if there's a very visible source.

You could backlight the windows at an angle. That would get rid of a lot of the reflections (I think...) and if it's at the right angle it shouldn't mess up your interior lighting too much, although too much light would give the impression of daytime or evening... You'd have to play around with it.

I would try to avoid the windows (well, be carefull with the windows, because i cannot avoid them at all)

Its for the same little movie project as the quistion about lighting, so tips are welcome there as well!

Thanks, but i think a filter is not a option because iam talking about heavvy reflection, not just light reflection, but seeing the camcorder into the window and such.

It's not so much avoiding the windows, but designing camera angles, lighting, and production design that will allow you to not see the equipment. It's the same as when shooting around mirrors. So, here's some general thoughts on windows and reflections:
-polarizer (aside from loosing f-stops, it can't hurt)
-don't shoot the window on the tangential axis (head on).
-keep lights out of frame in the reflection OR hide it with set dressing.
-the more light you can throw on the area outside of the window (i.e. the backyard), the less the reflection you'll get.
-Black doesn't reflect. Black out unwanted reflections be using duvateen or a low budget equivalent. This could mean making a black curtain with a tiny hole in it for the camera lens.
-production design is your friend. Maybe you want to put a practical lamp in the reflection to conceal the camera and tripod. Or have furniture that equipment can hide behind in the reflection. Treat the reflection just like another area on screen.

Joren, your suggestion to put more light into the backyard to get some less reflection sounds like a good idea to me, but:

Is it strange to see moonlight in the backyard while there are lights ON in the livingroom?

Because, it seems nobody would see moonlight Unless you turn of all lights and standing in the darkness... But, for a film, houselight AND moonlight at the same time... Is it strange?