Can you help me with ghosting in reflection taken in lightbox please?

[Jill H]

Hi everyone, I am very new to lightbox photography - and I took the attached photo today on a mirror in my lightbox. You can see there is a lot of ghosting in the reflection.

Can you tell me what causes this and what I can do to fix it so it doesn't happen again?

I also thought the glass was very clean and I have had to tidy up the pic in photoshop to get rid of the specs! It is a bit untidy still in the reflection, but it is the ghosting I want to be able to avoid again.

Thanks! I hope you can help! I look forward to hearing your replies!

From Roses

[CaptainNH]

The ghosting is a result of using clear glass for a base; you're seeing two reflections, one from the top of the glass and another from the bottom surface.

Using something like black plexiglass will stop the problem of two reflected images; it's polished enough to get great reflections.

[Nicole]

And if you can't find black plexiglass, a very glossy black floor tile works well too (and a small one is usually under a few dollars)

[Jill H]

Thanks guys! Would you get plexiglass from a glass supplier? I haven't heard of it before.

I hadn't thought of using a black tile- I would have thought I had to use mirrow glass - great tip thanks.

[CaptainNH]

Plexiglass = perspex = acrylic

I'd try Bunnings first, and if you have no luck with getting black there, try a sign maker.

These guys are in Perth, they could probably ship a smallish piece down to you - Complete Plastix Services - Contact Us

A word of warning - plexiglass builds up a static charge and will attract dust from all over WA. Be liberal with the Mr Sheen

[Jill H]

I'll give Bunnings a go - and thanks for the warning about the dust - I have already seen it today on my piece of mirror which I thought was clean!!