Photographing Reflective Domes

[bbertola]

I've been tasked with photographing some dome security cameras.

These cameras all have reflective plastic domes, and I can't seem to get a decent image without a significant amount of reflections.

I know that a circular polarizing filter could help cut the reflections down, but will it work at all angles?

 

[KmH]

Take control of the light.

A very helpful book is Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting

 

[Big Mike]

Welcome to the forum.

First you need to discern the reflectivity type of the object (dome). It probably has some direct reflection properties. That means that the light source will be seen as a reflection, if the light source is in the family of angles from the camera's position. So if you can position your object or light source, so that the light is outside the family of angles, the direct reflection won't show up. The problem with a circular object, especially a spherical object, is that the family of angles is practically everywhere....so you probably won't be able to get the light source out of the family of angles.
So that means that your light source will be reflected on the object. So knowing that, you can decide how you want that reflection to look. For example, you can use a very large light source, creating a large reflection, maybe even filling the family of angles. Or you could use a specific shape for your light source, or maybe use a small (hard) light source, thus making the reflection as small as possible (then maybe editing it out later).

 

[Christie Photo]

...the light source will be seen as a reflection,... you can decide how you want that reflection to look.

Exactly. You have to decide what's in the room and control the light that's falling on it. Being a dome, pretty much everything in the room that's lighted will be seen in the reflections. I suspect you'll end up in a tent. A polarizer is not going to be the answer.

-Pete