alexr
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Post by alexr on Dec 30, 2015 10:28:55 GMT
Thought you might be interested in this; I learned the principle and technique on another forum. It seems that most tablets (and I understand laptops, and presumably PC screens) emit polarised light. This interacts with certain plastics to highlight where the production process has caused stresses in their structure, and can be viewed very nicely by using a circular polarising filter. So, set up a tablet showing a blank white screen. Place some clear plastic objects in front of the screen. Fix a circular polarising filter to your DSLR. Rotate the filter and you will see the white screen vary from white to black, as the polarisation varies from being in line or perpendicular. Set it so the screen is black as this has maximum effect on the colours in the plastic object. And voila! No processing except a bit of tidying up with clone stamp and spot healing. 
Polarised glass 1 by AlexR!, on Flickr 
Polarised glass 2 by AlexR!, on Flickr |
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Post by srmoment on Dec 30, 2015 18:07:12 GMT
Fascinating Alex! I love the colors produced!
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Post by hmca on Dec 30, 2015 18:58:01 GMT
Thanks for sharing your technique....wondered how you achieved that look. Hope to get to give this a try!
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Post by hmca on Dec 30, 2015 20:24:27 GMT
Couldn't wait to try this but we are heading out to the movies so not a lot of time to play! Tried it with glass but didn't work....may have to invest in some more plastic! Thanks, Alex!!!! i.imgur.com/TkhC163.jpg |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2015 23:09:21 GMT
Thank you for sharing this technique, I think a similar effect can be created using plastic cutlery laid onto a lightbox (yet to try this though).
Love the effect this creates!
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Post by hmca on Dec 31, 2015 4:32:16 GMT
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alexr
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Posts: 555
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by alexr on Dec 31, 2015 11:57:39 GMT
Srmoment, Simone, Helen, thanks all for stopping by.
Helen, glad it has inspired you to give it a go! It is what I love most about this forum that we all learn from each other. As you will have found, it is incredibly easy. I don't think that glass refracts the polarised light in quite the same manner that plastic does (i.e. it has got to refract it into a different plane).
Simone, yes, I have seen cutlery used to great effect, I think their angular shapes result in a more defined effect between the various constituent colours. I'm not sure that a lightbox will necessarily work, it depends on the light source within, i.e. is it polarised? That is not to say that there aren't other ways of achieving a similar effect.
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Post by hmca on Dec 31, 2015 13:37:28 GMT
Thanks for commenting, Alex. The glass really didn't work but I liked the way the screen illuminated it. I have another idea for something to try but not sure when I'll get to it. The water droplets were a nice addition to your glasses.
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Post by Andy on Dec 31, 2015 14:36:29 GMT
That is a pretty cool technique. Thanks for sharing Alex!
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Post by drjoerogers on Jan 1, 2016 21:32:44 GMT
 Worked like a charm on that plastic cutlery. Joe |
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Squirrel2014
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Where's that cup of tea ... ???
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Post by Squirrel2014 on Jan 1, 2016 23:41:31 GMT
Hi I've only got a 'point and shoot' camera (and mobile phone camera), with no filters etc. Is there any way to improvise on the polarising filter that you use for this so that I might have a go with this technique? I appreciate this is a bit of a long-shot but, if you don't ask .... etc  Alternatively, is there any way, filters or not, to achieve this effect (I doubt it, but decided to ask anyway ) Thanks |
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Post by Sydney on Jan 2, 2016 0:14:14 GMT
Very kewl Alex - I must give this a try. Thank you for sharing  |
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Post by Tpgettys on Jan 2, 2016 1:14:39 GMT
Is there any way to improvise on the polarising filter that you use for this so that I might have a go with this technique? Hi Julie, All you need is a polarizing filter. Some sunglasses have polarizing filters, so you could use that if you have a pair, for example. Also some glasses for viewing 3D videos use polarizing filters. You can tell by holding them up to your screen and rotating them; if the light gets darker and darker as you rotate they are polarizing. Once you have found a filter you will just need to work out how to hold it between the screen and camera in the right orientation. |
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Squirrel2014
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Where's that cup of tea ... ???
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Post by Squirrel2014 on Jan 2, 2016 1:47:42 GMT
Is there any way to improvise on the polarising filter that you use for this so that I might have a go with this technique? Hi Julie, All you need is a polarizing filter. Some sunglasses have polarizing filters, so you could use that if you have a pair, for example. Also some glasses for viewing 3D videos use polarizing filters. You can tell by holding them up to your screen and rotating them; if the light gets darker and darker as you rotate they are polarizing. Once you have found a filter you will just need to work out how to hold it between the screen and camera in the right orientation. Tom, thank you very much. Your idea of sunglasses or 3D glasses sounds good. We are on the same wavelength re work arounds My sunglasses, which I think may well be polarised, are in the car and it's too late to be going out to get them but I have some 3D glasses here which do seem to change between light and darker on turning round so I'll have a go at this tomorrow using both 3D and sun glasses. Hopefully, I'll get something interesting, even if it isn't altogether brilliant Many thanks for your suggestion Julie |
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Post by Tpgettys on Jan 2, 2016 1:51:58 GMT
You are welcome, of course! I am really glad you found some filters that work.
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