1. Adjusting Your Lighting and Posing:
* The Angle of Incidence Equals the Angle of Reflection: This is key. You want to move the light source or the subject so that the reflection is directed away from the camera. Experiment!
* Raise the Lights: Often, reflections are caused by lights that are too low, reflecting up and into the glasses. Raising your light source, or even aiming it down slightly, can help.
* Move the Subject: Have the subject tilt their head forward slightly (chin down) or turn their head to the side. This changes the angle of the glasses relative to the light and can often shift the reflection out of view. Even a small adjustment can make a big difference.
* Diffuse Light: Hard, direct light is your enemy. Use large softboxes, umbrellas, or even bounce the light off a wall or ceiling. Diffused light is scattered and doesn't create as harsh reflections.
* Position of the Photographer: Sometimes simply moving *yourself* slightly to the left or right can change the angle enough to eliminate the reflection.
2. Using Polarizing Filters:
* Circular Polarizing Filter (CPL): This is a photographer's best friend for reducing reflections. Attach it to your lens and rotate it until the reflection is minimized. CPLs work best on non-metallic surfaces like water, but they can also help with glasses.
* Important Note: You'll likely lose 1-2 stops of light using a CPL, so adjust your settings accordingly (higher ISO, wider aperture, slower shutter speed).
3. Off-Camera Flash (Strobe):
* Strategic Placement: Use one or two off-camera flashes positioned to the *side* of the subject. By positioning the light source off-axis, you can control the angle of reflection and direct it away from the camera.
* Umbrellas or Softboxes: Again, diffusion is key. Use umbrellas or softboxes to soften the light from your strobes.
* Power Control: Fine-tune the power of the flashes to avoid overpowering the subject.
4. Post-Processing (Photoshop or Similar):
* Cloning/Healing Tool: This is your primary weapon. Carefully clone or heal areas from around the reflection to cover it up. Zoom in to get precise.
* Patch Tool: Similar to the clone/healing tool, but often better for larger areas.
* Layer Masks: Use layer masks to selectively apply your edits and ensure a natural look.
* Frequency Separation: This advanced technique separates the texture and color information in your image, allowing you to edit the color (and therefore the reflection) without affecting the detail of the skin or glasses. This is a more complex technique but can yield excellent results.
5. Other Tips and Tricks:
* Clean the Glasses: A clean lens is less likely to reflect. Use a microfiber cloth and lens cleaner.
* Talk to the Subject: Ask them to be aware of their glasses and to avoid extreme angles. Explain what you're trying to achieve.
* Remove the Glasses (If Possible): The simplest solution, if appropriate!
* Consider Contact Lenses: If the subject wears contact lenses, ask if they'd be willing to wear them for the shoot.
* Use a Matte Spray: (Caution: Use Sparingly and Test!) A very light spray of matte varnish designed for photography or artwork on the glasses (not directly on the subject's face!) can diffuse reflections. This is a last resort and requires extreme care and testing beforehand.
* Shoot Tethered: Connecting your camera to a computer allows you to see the images larger and in more detail in real time, making it easier to spot reflections.
Key Considerations:
* Practice: Experiment with different lighting setups and posing techniques. The more you practice, the better you'll become at anticipating and eliminating reflections.
* Patience: Eliminating reflections, especially in post-processing, can be time-consuming. Be patient and pay attention to detail.
* Natural Look: The goal is to eliminate reflections *without* making the glasses look fake or digitally altered. Strive for a natural and believable result.
Workflow Summary (General Order of Operations):
1. Start with Lighting and Posing: This is the most important step. Optimize your setup to minimize reflections *before* taking the picture.
2. Use a Polarizing Filter: This is a relatively simple and effective tool for further reducing reflections.
3. Take the Photo: Get the best possible image in-camera.
4. Post-Processing (If Needed): Use cloning, healing, patching, and/or frequency separation to remove any remaining reflections.
By combining these techniques, you can significantly reduce or eliminate reflections in glasses portraits and achieve professional-looking results. Good luck!