Using my lens focusing system, I have learned how easy it can be to focus "though" something that is in my way. Recently, I was attempting to photograph a tennis game for one of the players. The spot I chose was outside of the court, because I was using the bleachers to get a high shot of the game. I was having trouble with an awkwardly placed chain link fence. The issue arose that I could not get my high shot without having the fence that protects the fans from runaway tennis balls in my shot. After moving around and trying to avoid the fence, I was altering my focus to take a shot. After changing it, I learned one can focus "though" a fence, if you are far away enough from it. This is the same effect that happens when you look though a screen door. You do not really notice the screen, but you notice what's behind it.
All of this boils down to one revelation. What if the front of the scope was covered by a dark screen like fabric (old screen from a window, for example). One could focus though the screen, making it easy to see though the scope, but making the scope's glass lens much harder to see and reducing glare.
Hopefully my idea from dealing with the effects of "Ball Protection Fences" on photography will help sniper's do there job better.
