Glasses on the nose are a small test of patience for many portrait photographers. As soon as the light hits the lenses at the wrong angle, reflections appear that cover the eyes and make the whole image look restless. Behind the viewfinder, too, you have a problem as a photographer if you wear glasses yourself and cannot easily see the eyepiece sharply.
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In this guide, you will learn how to get around these hurdles. You will find out how to adjust the camera to your vision impairment, how to avoid reflections through the angle of the light and head position, and which simple aids you can use to replace a reflector. In the end, you will have clear portraits in which the eyes are easy to see even behind the glasses.
Key Takeaways
- The diopter adjustment on the camera helps you see sharply through the viewfinder even without your own glasses.
- Reflections occur mainly when the light falls steeply from above or from the side onto the lenses and the viewing angle to the camera is unfavorable.
- Even a small change in head position or camera position can make the reflection disappear completely.
- A reflector below the model balances out the harsh shadow that steep light creates at the chin.
- Hard light sources such as flash or studio lamps require more experimentation than soft daylight.
Step 1: Use the camera's diopter adjustment
Before you take care of the model, check your own viewfinder image. Many cameras have a small dial on the viewfinder or a slider in the menu with which the view can be adjusted. This adjustment usually ranges from about minus two to plus two diopters. Set it so that the viewfinder image becomes sharp for you, even if you are not wearing glasses yourself or do not have your glasses on at the moment.
Make sure you set the adjustment only for your own vision. If you have strong vision impairment, it is not sufficient, and then your only option is to keep your glasses on while photographing. For many photographers, however, the diopter adjustment is a real relief because the camera remains usable without glasses.
Step 2: Find the right viewing angle to the camera
The most important trick for glasses wearers in portraits is the angle. Have your model look directly into the lens and watch the lenses. At this moment, the reflection usually disappears completely, because the light is reflected in such a way that it does not hit the camera.
As soon as the model tilts their head up even slightly, the reflection can immediately reappear. Therefore, ask the model to move their head slowly, and watch closely in live view or on the display at which position the lenses stay clean. Often a movement of just a few centimeters is enough.
Step 3: Understand steep light and its side effects
Why does the reflection occur in the first place? Mostly it is due to steep light. If the light source falls on the face from above, the light is thrown back by the lenses directly toward the camera. This light cannot simply be turned away without changing the entire image.
However, steep light has a downside: it creates a harsh shadow under the chin and on the opposite side of the face. So you have to weigh whether you accept the reflection or the shadow. With some compensation, though, the shadow can be handled well, as shown in the next step.
Step 4: Use a reflector as counter light
If you are working with steep light, a reflector that throws the light back onto the face from below helps. Place it roughly below the model so that it picks up the light from the main light and brightens the shadow at the chin. The result is not always perfect, but usually much more balanced.
When positioning it, make sure the reflector is angled steeply enough. If it is too flat, it will in turn reflect from below into the lenses, and you will have only shifted the problem to another place. Try different tilts and check the lenses with every change.
Step 5: Working with Head Position Without Artificial Light
You don't always have a reflector or artificial light on hand. Especially with available-light portraits outdoors or by a window, it is worth experimenting with head position. Ask the model to turn their head slightly to the side and then tilt it a bit up or down. While doing so, observe where the sun or the window light no longer falls into the lenses.
This process takes some time, but it is usually successful. With an angle where the light comes in from the side and is not reflected directly, the eyes remain clearly visible. Also keep the camera position in mind. A slightly changed standpoint can make the decisive difference.
Step 6: Adjusting Hard Light Sources Deliberately
Hard light sources such as a flash pointed directly at the model or a small studio lamp are more demanding than soft light. They produce very distinct reflections that often cannot be completely removed by viewing angle alone. With a studio lamp, it usually helps to position the lamp somewhat steeper and then fine-tune the head position or the camera position.
Take your time when setting up. You will find that some combinations of light angle, head position, and camera position only prove themselves after several attempts. A typical studio setup with steeper light delivers the desired result in most cases, without you having to reposition the model for hours.
Summary – Photographing People with Glasses Without Distracting Reflections
Glasses are a challenge when photographing, but not an unsolvable task. If you use your camera's diopter adjustment, you keep track of your viewfinder image. The model's viewing angle determines whether reflections occur, and even small head movements bring success. Steep light causes reflections, but can be balanced with a reflector. Without artificial light, trial and error is often the only help, and hard light sources require careful fine-tuning. With patience and the right angle, you can create portraits in which the eyes look clear and lively even behind the glasses.
FAQ
Do I always need a reflector to avoid reflections?No, a reflector only makes sense with steep light, to balance out the shadow under the chin. Often the right head position or a different angle to the camera is enough.
Can I simply take off the model's glasses?That is possible if the model can see well without a vision aid. Nevertheless, glasses often look more natural, and with the right angle the reflections can usually be avoided.
Does a diopter adjustment also help with severe vision impairment?The adjustment on the camera usually covers only about two diopters in each direction. With stronger vision impairment, you should wear your glasses while photographing.
Why does the reflection disappear when the model looks into the camera?With a direct look into the camera, the light is reflected off the lenses in such a way that it does not reach the lens. Even a slight upward tilt of the head can make the reflection visible again.
Can I use the display instead of the viewfinder?Yes, the display is a good alternative if the viewfinder doesn't suit your eyes. However, keep in mind that working with the display has other advantages and disadvantages, for example regarding outdoor lighting conditions.
