Contrast between indoor and outdoor

[Dudo01]

Hello Community,

I hope you guys can help:
I would like to do indoor photography,
in the background is a window through which a beautiful landscape can be seen.
Now the problem:
If I film with the Canon HG10 and the exposure is turned up, then everything in the window is white.
If I turn the exposure down, then the landscape appears in the window, but everything in the room is still well lit and recognizable.
If I do the same with the Logitech C920 webcam, then when I turn the exposure down, everything in the room is dark and barely recognizable.
Is there any way to adjust the contrast between indoor and outdoor with the Logitech C920?

Many thanks and greetings,
Roman

[Bwaak]

The HG10 is not bad despite being fifteen years old, heh. Obviously, you need to decrease the contrast between the background and the foreground. Either add more indoor light, or put a gel, that is, a darkened semi-transparent filter, over the window. Also, some cameras/software have high-contrast settings, in which they try to preserve both the lows and the highs by compressing the middle.

[Dudo01]

as i said, the canon hg10 does this easily and flawlessly.
the question is, how do i get the logitech c920 to behave like the canon hg10?

[darkknight145]

You can't! this is like asking why a Kia doesn't perform like a Ferrari.
As others have said use a neutral filter on the window to reduce incoming light.

[Cornucopia]

That is the difference between sensor sizes (and their intrinsic sensitivity). The hg10 has a medium-small sensor while the c920 has a TINY sensor. Larger sensor, more light comes in, and the more easily you can play with contrast.

You could try getting the Logi camera control apps and see if one can turn ON/OFF backlight compensation (I think feature is called Rightlight) and then maybe adjust the contrast manually. But you don't have as much exposure to work with.


Scott

[Dudo01]

As others have said use a neutral filter on the window to reduce incoming light.

Do you have any idea where I could find a suitable filter? That is, one that significantly reduces the amount of light coming through the window, but allows the landscape to look the way I see it with my eyes when I look through the window? I would be very grateful for a tip. Thank you very much.

[Dudo01]

You could try getting the Logi camera control apps and see if one can turn ON/OFF backlight compensation (I think feature is called Rightlight) and then maybe adjust the contrast manually.

I'm afraid I haven't found the right software.
I downloaded a Logitech camera settings software, but I can't even select which camera's settings I want to adjust, let alone find a RightLight setting in it.
Maybe you have the right link to the right software?
I would be very grateful for it. Thank you very much.

[jagabo]

As others have said use a neutral filter on the window to reduce incoming light.

Do you have any idea where I could find a suitable filter? That is, one that significantly reduces the amount of light coming through the window, but allows the landscape to look the way I see it with my eyes when I look through the window? I would be very grateful for a tip. Thank you very much.

different kinds of "window film", for example: https://www.amazon.com/KESPEN-Privacy-Anti-UV-Reflective-Black-Silver/dp/B07P7FKW8X/

Another alternative is to use brighter lights indoors -- so indoors is closer in brightness to outdoors.

[darkknight145]

As others have said use a neutral filter on the window to reduce incoming light.

Do you have any idea where I could find a suitable filter? That is, one that significantly reduces the amount of light coming through the window, but allows the landscape to look the way I see it with my eyes when I look through the window? I would be very grateful for a tip. Thank you very much.

Cheapest would probably to go to an Auto shop and get some Car window tint (Neutral). Try one layer and if that's not enough add an extra layer.

[Dudo01]

As others have said use a neutral filter on the window to reduce incoming light.

Do you have any idea where I could find a suitable filter? That is, one that significantly reduces the amount of light coming through the window, but allows the landscape to look the way I see it with my eyes when I look through the window? I would be very grateful for a tip. Thank you very much.

different kinds of "window film", for example: https://www.amazon.com/KESPEN-Privacy-Anti-UV-Reflective-Black-Silver/dp/B07P7FKW8X/

Another alternative is to use brighter lights indoors -- so indoors is closer in brightness to outdoors.

Thanks for the link, it helps a lot.
I already use 400 watt lamps indoors, but they pretty much can't compete with daylight outdoors. When I turn them on, it makes virtually no difference.

[Dudo01]

As others have said use a neutral filter on the window to reduce incoming light.

Do you have any idea where I could find a suitable filter? That is, one that significantly reduces the amount of light coming through the window, but allows the landscape to look the way I see it with my eyes when I look through the window? I would be very grateful for a tip. Thank you very much.

Cheapest would probably to go to an Auto shop and get some Car window tint (Neutral). Try one layer and if that's not enough add an extra layer.

thank you... i just wonder if there is such a film without tinting, so that the room is spared from the bright rays of daylight, but not too dark...

[Cornucopia]

You want to get some photographic/scientific grade circular polarizing sheets (aka linear polarizer + 1/4 wave retarder), so you can dial in the exact amount of dimming you want, and color tinting is minimal to nonexistent.
It has the added benefit of making the outdoor colors richer (because much less glare to wash it out).
You should be able to find them in sizes big enough to cover windows.

Scott

[Cornucopia]

You could try getting the Logi camera control apps and see if one can turn ON/OFF backlight compensation (I think feature is called Rightlight) and then maybe adjust the contrast manually.

I'm afraid I haven't found the right software.
I downloaded a Logitech camera settings software, but I can't even select which camera's settings I want to adjust, let alone find a RightLight setting in it.
Maybe you have the right link to the right software?
I would be very grateful for it. Thank you very much.

Not sure if you've tried either of these:
https://prosupport.logi.com/hc/en-us/articles/360040190133# possibile but this says c920e which might be a slightly different model.
There is a bunch of older apps that I don't easily see on the website anymore, so not sure if they are still available.
But go to camera model, support or accessories for it, should give options.

Scott

[Dudo01]

You want to get some photographic/scientific grade circular polarizing sheets (aka linear polarizer + 1/4 wave retarder), so you can dial in the exact amount of dimming you want, and color tinting is minimal to nonexistent.

Where could I find something like that?
What specifically do I have to look for?
Is something like this available on Amazon, for example?

And are we talking about a film that is attached to the window,
or are we talking about a filter that is attached on the camera?

I'd be grateful for some help/tutorials/infos...
I know absolutely nothing about the topic...
Thxs a lot!

[Cornucopia]

Do a search for circular polarizer, polarized sheets, filter, etc. I found a bunch right away. There are both sheets for window and filter rings/squares for cameras/lenses. If you need to reduce glare & improve contrast overall (including inside lighting) on camera is better, and easier. If it is mostly the outdoor light that is problematic, the big window size sheets are best. Just be careful of their orientation as they cumulatively interact, and change effect depending on relative orientation.

Not going to go further on it here, because there is LOTS of info out there about polarizing filters (especially in scientific, photography, videography fields)

Scott.

[Dudo01]

Thxs a lot...
The only thing I want is for my camera to capture the landscape through the window (instead of a white square)
without having to turn the exposure down, so that the furniture in the room is going completely dark.
That's all I want.
To get a result comparable to the image my eyes see.

From your explanation, I assume that I would get the best result with a window film.
I do not want to do anything wrong, but I do not know anything about
orientation, cumulatively interact or 1/4 wave retarder, etc.

The best thing would be if I could order the right film and install it on the window, and it does what it is supposed to do.
Can you recommend something that would be suitable?

PS: Other users recommended neutral filters on the window.
Do they not fulfill the purpose or are they ineligible for some other reason?

Thank you so much!

[Cornucopia]

They (neutral tint filters) work also - I recommended those earlier. They wouldn't necessarily reduce the glare the way polarizers do, but maybe it's not necessary for your situation. Only you can tell via trial & error. Even if you don't need them NOW, polarizers are handy tools to have.


Scott