
“Say cheese! Wait, wait, let me take off my glasses first. I’m ready now! Say cheese… (click)”
Been there? All specs-wearers have encountered countless moments where glasses were an obstruction. Especially when getting yourself clicked or taking photos of someone who wears glasses. Why? Because of the dreaded reflection on your glasses that you really want to avoid. Especially when getting candid shots, it may not be possible to tell the person (subject with glasses) to take off the glasses or possible for the model to know when to remove the glasses.
Here are some photography tips on how to click photos of people with glasses.
Rule #1 Play Through The Angles
Your eyeglasses lenses are smooth surfaces where the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. Too much physics? Let’s simplify. Light travels in a straight line until obstructed, then it reflects at a different angle. Hence, keep in mind that the shape of the surface that is being shot and the size of your light source will determine the direction of the reflection. The bottom line is you need to make sure that the angle of the light hitting your model is different from the angle you are shooting at. This ensures that your camera lenses aren’t exposed to the reflected rays. In any shoot, there will be three positions to adjust to avoid glare: the angle of your light, the angle of your model, and the angle of your camera. A quick adjustment of either one of these angles will allow you to capture glare-free specs.


Rule #2 Leverage Backlight
Ever wonder why people love clicking photos during sunset? It’s because a natural backlight makes any photo look magical! Sunset hours have the right amount of soft or dim light; a mellow melange of vibrant colors that make anything look out of the world.
Besides making the model look amazing it also gives the photographer the freedom to focus solely on the model’s face. However, if you are working with artificial light, you need to set your angles right as they determine how visually appealing a portrait will look. Backlight brings the model into focus, smoothens the foreground, and perfects a bespectacled face.
Here’s how you can leverage backlight in three different ways:
- By allowing light into one part of your image like light leaks in cinematic photography
- By creating sun flares or giving a starry effect
- By lighting up your model from behind and highlighting features like a hat, hair, or specs
Rule #3 A Simple Head Tilt Will Do The Trick
In case, it’s a group photograph and someone in the gang is flashing their newly purchased glasses right into your viewfinder, politely ask the person to slightly lower or lift their chin. This ensures that your model never faces a direct source of light. However, ensure that the model and light source aren’t positioned on the same reflective plane. Because when the light comes bouncing off those eyeglasses, you want it to miss your camera entirely to avoid the flash in the picture blocking the eyes behind the glasses.


Rule #4 Break The Rule (Aim For Creative Shots)
Glasses will cease to be an obstacle that ruins your shot when you go creative. Experiment with different angles to shift the intensity of light falling on the surface of your glasses. Try these tricks:
- Capture the surroundings through the reflection on the model’s glasses. This may also add more emotional depth to your photographs. This way you can make people stop scrolling and take a minute to appreciate your creativity.
- Make sure you’re not standing in front of your model.
As you experiment, you’ll find the right elements to include in your composition.
Rule #5 Get Glasses With Anti Reflective Coating (If You’re The Model)
This tip will save you from the disappointment that comes after hundreds of clicks with the same issue. It will also release you from the constant fear of glasses obscuring your eyes in the photo. Wondering where you will find such quality glasses with the much-needed anti-reflective coating? Listed below are a few best-selling anti-reflective glasses that come in different powers. Find yours today!

Editor’s Choice: Best Anti-Glare Glasses