Reflective Material (Carbon Fiber)

[wongmj]

I'm trying to shoot photos of vehicles that have carbon fiber material (Carbon fiber - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). The lighting can sometimes cause glares or reflections off of the vehicle. I shoot indoors with three 1500 Watt incandescent light stands. I played around with my DSLR settings to try and come to a solution to minimize the glare and have the carbon fiber stand out, but haven't been able to.

Any tips about how to shoot something like this? Thanks in advance!

[OsmosisStudios]

Circular polarizer. Carbon fibre isn't metallic: it's carbon. So a CircPol can eliminate/reduce glare

[Sterling]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Circular polarizer. Carbon fibre isn't metallic: it's carbon. So a CircPol can eliminate/reduce glare

So a circular polarizer will not reduce reflections off metal?

[OsmosisStudios]

Circular polarizers reduce glare and reflections of NON-METALLIC surfaces. So it WILL reduce glare from CF.

It's not perfect: some clear coats wreak havoc on circular polarizers: they're impossible to deal with. Oh the things you learn shooting car shows...

[smc1377]

I have also seen this done the other way where polarizing film is placed over the light sources themselves.

[Sterling]

Circular polarizers reduce glare and reflections of NON-METALLIC surfaces.

I didn't realize that. Thanks for the tidbit.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by smc1377

I have also seen this done the other way where polarizing film is placed over the light sources themselves.

I've seen WAY too many of those melt into hot, gooey, black puddles. No thanks