If you have recently purchased the best digital camera and have been trying to get some good shots during daylight hours, you may have run into the issue of glare and how it impacts the camera’s LCD display. How to minimize glare on a digital camera display? Keep reading to find out.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- When sunlight becomes so harsh that you can no longer see, that is called glare.
- LCD displays are especially susceptible to glare and most digital cameras include an LCD display to access settings, preview images, and more.
- To minimize glare, invest in an anti-glare screen protector or a digital display shade.
What is Glare and Why is it Bad?
Glare is when sunlight is so bright and obtrusive that it becomes difficult to see anything at all. LCD screens are especially susceptible to the effects of glare and, in most cases, digital cameras feature an LCD screen. Why is glare bad? If you are shooting during daylight hours, you won’t be able to see the settings, make minute adjustments, see a preview of the image before the shot and the image itself after the shot, or even use your touch screen autofocus feature. This means you need to learn how to manually focus a digital camera to avoid such inconveniences.
Insider Tip
Glare is when sunlight is so bright and obtrusive that it becomes difficult to see anything at all.
How to Minimize Glare on an LCD Display
Here are some helpful tips to minimize glare in bright light, even if the light source is the sun itself. You may also want to learn how to operate a digital camera in P mode so you can snap some excellent photos.
Install an Accessory
There are many accessories available to reduce glare so you can get good shots. Start with an anti-glare screen protector, as these products count as the original screen protector for LCD displays. You can affix one of these protectors in the same way you would a screen protector on your smartphone or tablet. These screen protectors will not eliminate glare entirely, but they should reduce the severity. As an added bonus, they will protect your screen from scratches.
Another popular accessory is called a digital display shade, or a lens hood. As the name suggests, this is a shade that installs above the LCD display, significantly reducing glare. You may experience a narrow angle when it comes to viewing the display, but the reduction in glare with this light diffusion technology should be worth it.
Stand in the Shade
An easy way to reduce or eliminate glare is to simply stand in the shade. Find a tree, a structure, or a building of some kind and stand under it as you prepare and snap your digital images. You can also use a standard umbrella to get a similar effect. Another option is to simply wear a wide-brimmed hat, as this will essentially do the same thing as an umbrella.
Insider Tip
An easy way to reduce or eliminate glare is to simply stand in the shade.
F.A.Q.
Is a screen protector worth it for a digital camera?
Absolutely. Not only will a digital camera screen protector minimize glare, but it will also reduce the chances of scratches and will protect the display if you accidentally drop the camera. Plus, they are cheap.
How to photograph reflective surfaces?
Reflective surfaces can be difficult to accurately photograph, as they tend to bounce light around in unpredictable ways. Not only can this increase glare, but it can also end up with poor images. The best way to photograph reflective surfaces is to simply experiment until you get it right. Each reflective surface is different, after all.
How do I take a digital photo of a computer screen?
This can be surprisingly tough, thanks to the prevalence of glare, reflections, and blur. You may need to adjust the refresh rate of your monitor and experiment with multiple settings within your camera.
STAT: Glare from artificial lights is typically measured with luminance meters. From daylit windows, cameras are used to convert the pixels into luminances. Both of which are able to determine the luminance of objects within small solid angles. The glare of a scene i.e. visual field of view is then calculated from the luminance data of that scene. (source)
