Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting gear => Topic started by: BernardLanguillier on February 25, 2009, 06:53:17 am

Title: Question on strobe lighting polarization
Post by: BernardLanguillier on February 25, 2009, 06:53:17 am

Dear lighting experts,

One basic question. When a polarizing filter is used to modify a strobe light:

- Does the light remain polarized even if a soft box is used?
- What is the easiest way to hold a strobe pola filter like this one (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/... ...lare_Stop_Polarizing_Filter_.html#features) inside a soft box like this one (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/... ...oduct.jsp&A=kitInfo&Q=&sku=302087&is=REG)?

Thank you in advance,

Cheers,
Bernard

Title: Question on strobe lighting polarization
Post by: inissila on February 25, 2009, 07:50:15 am

Quote from: BernardLanguillier

- Does the light remain polarized even if a soft box is used?

What are you trying to accomplish by polarizing the light source?

A soft box has surfaces which reflect and/or scatter light. These events change the polarization state of the light and also the directional pattern may change as a function of polarization. I think it's just best to experiment.  

Title: Question on strobe lighting polarization
Post by: jjlphoto on February 25, 2009, 11:23:12 am

I've some associates who shoot large cabinetry/furniture that often has a lusterous/glossy finish. The wood is so deep in tone, that conventional lighting often produces too much glare and not enough wood grain visible in the shot. The softboxes need to have sheets of polarizing filter material taped across their face, on the outside. Of course, all the pieces need to be orientated is in the same direction. (Just make a bunch of witness marks or arrows on the roll before cutting it apart.) Then use a polarizer on your lens and adjust accordingly. Be advised, you loose many stops of light. That method takes all the highlight glare right out and produces deep saturated wood tone with lots of visible detail.

Title: Question on strobe lighting polarization
Post by: BernardLanguillier on February 25, 2009, 07:06:07 pm

Quote from: jjlphoto

I've some associates who shoot large cabinetry/furniture that often has a lusterous/glossy finish. The wood is so deep in tone, that conventional lighting often produces too much glare and not enough wood grain visible in the shot. The softboxes need to have sheets of polarizing filter material taped across their face, on the outside. Of course, all the pieces need to be orientated is in the same direction. (Just make a bunch of witness marks or arrows on the roll before cutting it apart.) Then use a polarizer on your lens and adjust accordingly. Be advised, you loose many stops of light. That method takes all the highlight glare right out and produces deep saturated wood tone with lots of visible detail.

Thanks a lot for your help, very useful information! That's what I assumed would be required.

Cheers,
Bernard