Taking a photo through a window?

What kind of distortion do you get if taking a photo through window glass?

I'm setting up a bird feeder system in my yard for some close-up shots and am curious if I should put it near the house or keep it at a distance since I'd have to shoot through a window.

Thanks!!

Kyle,

The amount of distortion you get depends upon the quality of the glass. The only way to really tell is to make some test shots and then scrutinize them very carefully. Another isssue is flare from the glass surface nearest your lens. I suggest using a rubber lens hood. Set up your tripod/camera/lens so that the hood 'seals' against the glass. This should keep extraneous light from reflecting back into your lens.

Testing will be the key to seeing how well your setup will work.

-PB

You will also loose quite a bit of contrast shooting trough the glass so remember when you are post-processing the shot's to give them that contrast back.

Wim

Good points. You can pick up slight color shifts with some varieties of glass, especially thicker versions. It pays to shoot perpendicular to the glass whenever possible. If you're using long lenses which preclude rubber lens hoods, it really helps to darken the room. Often shooting near the center of a pane results in fewer problems than shooting near an edge.

Having never done this I thought I'd respond
I watched the photographer taking shots of a Montreal Canadiens hockey game through the plexiglass. He had a lens hood which he could put right on the glass and it actually flexed as he went side to side with the motion of the play. I think it was to block extraneous light and reflections but I didn't get a chance to ask him. He seemed a little busy!
Rick T

I've had very limited success getting acceptable images through a window. My work around for that was a small portable tent type blind and setting it around the lenses minimum focusing distance from the birds. There are several out there that are easy to set up, move around and store. I bought mine form Cabelas, "lightning set" blind or something like that. Pops up like a big umbrella, takes like 5 seconds to set up.

Just something to consider.
Dave

You could always cut a hole in the window, or break out the pane and then tell your wife it was an accident!

-PB

Now there's a thought Preston!

Of course, much of my "window" shooting is through the walls of aquaria. From your professional experience on your day job, can you recommend techniques for shooting into a fire hose?

Hank, the only hose that will fit over the front standard of my 4x5 is 6" LDH. Given that it comes in 100 foot lengths It's a little tough: it takes a few assistants to keep it straight and light falloff is terrible! Once I've done that, I look carefully to see if there is light at the end. If not, I duck, 'cause it's gonna get wet real quick!

-PB