Video lights causing lens implants to shine/glitter

In My Humble Opinion
1

Here’s a funny one - from time to time I make little vlogs on various unimportant topics. I sat down just now to start recording one for the first time since my cataract surgeries, and on looking at the first edit I saw the Terminator Effect happening - shiny, terrifying eyes, the eyes of a cyborg, coming to spread chaos.

Oof, annoying. I spent some time moving lights around to see if I could reduce the effect, but no matter what, I always got some twinkling as long as the lights were ahead of me.

I suspect this is not fixable, but still, I thought: maybe some different kinds of lights would mitigate it? Or some kind of glasses with clear lenses?

Anyway. I’d appreciate hearing if any videographers or others lenspeople have opinions.

I’ll be back.

2

Does a polarizing filter help?

3

I assume you mean that the reflections of the lights were visible in the recorded image of your face, not in what you are personally seeing? If the former, try moving your light sources to about 45 degrees from the direction you’re looking, instead of directly in front of you. IOW, if you’re sitting on a clock face looking at 12, the lights should be at 10:30 and 1:30 (or 10 and 2).

The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflectance, and that is a relatively simple matter when dealing with flat surfaces. But since your eyes are convex, you may still get some reflections on the sides of your eyes, although they shouldn’t be too near the pupils. If that still bothers you, try moving the lights closer to 9 and 3; however, those angles are not flattering to all faces.

I hope this is helpful.

4

I would think glasses could help somewhat. Glasses with anti-reflective or anti-glare coatings might help depending on how they change the light going in or coming out of your eye. Even reading glasses might work since the glass itself would have an effect. If you have some handy, try them out. Even a friend’s glasses would work to see how it changes the reflections.

5

I say really lean into it. Enhance the effect. Become the cyborg vlogger.

6

Have you tried a ring light? (If yes, maybe try a not ring light?)

7

Thanks for all the responses. :slight_smile:

I’ve tried it with and without the ring light, and I’ve tried it at various oblique angles, but the convex surface just means they glitter in different locations.

I haven’t tried anything to polarize the light, but clip-on polarizers (I use my cell phone as a camera) are cheap, so I’ll give that a try!