#lighting What is the best way to prevent reflection off of glasses (spectacles)

[G+_Roy True]

#lighting  What is the best way to prevent reflection off of glasses (spectacles). I notice that Iyaz's spectacles do not reflect much of the light.

[G+_Brent Bye]

Reflection in glasses is all about 'angle of reflection'.

The standard practice in the film industry at large is to raise or move the position of the key light, or reduce the size of the light source. Most often you'll be splitting hairs with the height/position of the light. You won't want to raise too high or move too far as you'll completely change the lighting aesthetic and quality of your shot. And if you're doing interviews with multiple guests, the lighting won't match across the board for all interviews. If you are using a large diffusion source for the keylight, you can possibly go to a smaller diffusion size, but again you'll be changing the aesthetic by altering the diffusion size.

Another simple option for eyewear reflections is to change the angle of the eyeglasses on the face of the on-camera subject. By lifting the back of the arms of the glasses so that they are slightly above their resting point on the ears. Sometimes they need to be taped or secured in place, but the angle of the glasses will point down and can solve a reflection problem or at least lessen it's intensity.

Then there are special eyeglass lenses for photography that are rated as 'low glare' or 'glareless'. Props guys on features carry many pairs of these for just such an occasion.

Many options...just make subtle changes so you don't massively affect your lighting/camera set-up when trying to solve a simple reflection.

Our solution on set the other day was... "sir, do you mind removing your glasses for the interview?"

[G+_Alex Knutson-Smisek]

Thanks Brent Bye it's great to get an answer from someone with so much expertise!