Beginners have a hard time with specularity. Heck, even experienced photographers, if they don't have much studio experience, have a hard time with it.
I've written a little tutorial on the subject.
blog.kasson.com/the-last-word/specularity/
If anyone feels like they want to discuss the post, this thread would be a good place to do so.
Also, if anyone has opinions about whether and when to introduce beginners to specularity, this would be a good place to discuss that.
Jim
"The page you are looking for no longer exists".
Time for a new link Jim 😉
Thanks.
My bad. Try it now.
I use simple polarizing filter when shooting foliage, and sometimes Krylon dulling spray on certain subjects.
I'll think twice before modeling for you. 😊
:)))
Sometimes, with metal, and with no option of cross-polarization (deep black lacquer Chinese box, mother of pearl inlay, spray on gilded hinges).
Open air oldtimer car shows are most every beginner's idea of a photography exercise, preferably in fine summer weather just after a sultry morning rain. So here/now is perfect for primers.
Thank you Yawlenz I'm always looking for new ideas like this as I'm very new to photography x
I would shoot more than anyone else with specularity reflections shooting dance school concerts and estedford costumes. I dont even conciderate it a problem
as it can never be fixed wouldnt matter what process you tried, try shooting a fully sequenced costume 😁 dark blue or black 🤨. but the image would
look unnatrual without the shinny reflected surfaces, thats the whole reason to use sequences in the first place.
Jim's article says there is nothing wrong with clipped specular highlights where they are appropriate and he suggests ways you can eliminate them in some scenarios where they might not be desirable.
Ok, You made my day here!
Now I know what I did call "reflexes" has a different name >"specularity",
that I did manage while shooting "on Auto-Pilot" without thinking about it too much.
A question arise from my deep ignorance:
--> Now what I call "specularity" for sure has a different correct name. What is it??
I call "specularity" when I double and reverse the subject inside a shot,
using a reflecting/partially reflecting surface.
It can be a water surface or a shiny item for instance a glass or whatever works...
I'd never heard of the word before now, but I understand the concept. Thanks Jim - I keep learning from you.
Alan
You might have heard of specular highlights? Reading Jim's article, it looks like another name for the same thing.
www.premiumbeat.com/blog/specularity-explained/#:~:text=Specularity%20is%20the%20reflection%20of,and%20the%20bottom%20half%20dark.
That's what I said.
Excellent tutorial. Another aspect of why paying attention to the light in the scene makes for less angst in post...
Not quite, but specularity is a cause of speculation highlights. You can have specular reflections that don’t cause highlights.
Specular highlights, not speculation. Darned autocorrect.
