Would a polarizing filter have been able to save this photo?

[jdong217]

This was shot from the Macau tower and there was absolutely no way I could take a picture without the glass interfering.

Would the $30 HOYA polarizing filters have helped? I'm looking at Nikon's most expensive polarizing filter and the price is a little outrageous

 

[480sparky68 67]

A standard polarizer won't work on a digital camera.... you need a circular polarizer. And it would have helped. Maybe not completely eliminate the reflection, but do some serious damage to it.

 

[orb9220]

If all possible when shooting thru window. Is I put the camera lens against the window to eliminate reflections. Usually with hood on.
.

 

[tyler_h]

As mentioned by orb9220. You can even get one of the cheap rubber hoods that are flexible so you can mate it against the glass and you wont have to keep the camera perpendicular to the window.

On your actual question sparky is right. Hoya are a good company for filters; have a look at the circular polarisers they offer. Cost vary and a lot of that is in the quality of the coatings to try and reduce light loss and the creation of internal reflections which is how you get flares.

 

[KmH]

Hoya make some good filters (they coated ones), and some not so good filters (the not coated ones).

 

[2WheelPhoto]

That glass wreaked havoc on an otherwise beuatiful shot indeed. Appreciate the tips in this forum, as a nooB I'm about to shoot night shots of Tampa across the bay from a Rocky Point tower and will be in the same shape.

OP - In addition to the tips above, could you have turned more lights off in the area you were shooting from or covered the existing light with something? I was planning on darkening my area first order of business unless its a waste of time.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

That glass wreaked havoc on an otherwise beuatiful shot indeed. Appreciate the tips in this forum, as a nooB I'm about to shoot night shots of Tampa across the bay from a Rocky Point tower and will be in the same shape.

OP - In addition to the tips above, could you have turned more lights off in the area you were shooting from or covered the existing light with something? I was planning on darkening my area first order of business unless its a waste of time.

hmmm I was really wondering this ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[Cheikhndao]

A standard polarizer won't work on a digital camera.... you need a circular polarizer. And it would have helped. Maybe not completely eliminate the reflection, but do some serious damage to it.

Why is that? I used to use polarizing filters when I shot film and was generally satisfied with the results. Since switching to digital, the results have been less satisfactory. Usually, the images are too dark.

 

[KmH]

With a linear polarizing filter, digital camera light metering and auto focus systems cannot work properly. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polarizing_filters_(Photography)

 

[480sparky68 67]

............OP - In addition to the tips above, could you have turned more lights off in the area you were shooting from or covered the existing light with something? I was planning on darkening my area first order of business unless its a waste of time.

Although a great idea, but usually the public does not have access to lighting controls in public areas.

 

[pixilstudio]

just go to the balcony or get on top of the building im sure security wouldnt mind

 

[2WheelPhoto]

............OP - In addition to the tips above, could you have turned more lights off in the area you were shooting from or covered the existing light with something? I was planning on darkening my area first order of business unless its a waste of time.

Although a great idea, but usually the public does not have access to lighting controls in public areas.

Oh, Thanks for pointing that out

I assumed OP was in an office or business in that tower. I'll be shooting from mine and plan to turn the lights off.