Photographing reflections can seem daunting, but once you understand a little about angles and learn to spot the opportunities, it is very rewarding. Reflections make interesting abstract pictures, show familiar scenes in a new way and add a touch of mystery.
Reflections are everywhere
First, notice the reflective surfaces around you. Calm water is the obvious one, but wet pavements, windows, polished metal, car bonnets and mirrors all work. From trees in a lake to a city skyline in an office window, the possibilities are endless. Before you shoot, look around for more than one surface you might use.
Choose your angle
What a surface reflects depends on where you stand, so a small move changes the picture. Try different heights and positions. The lower the camera, the more of the reflection you see.
Think about the light too. Sunrise and sunset give wonderful reflections, because the colour of the sky is doubled. Watch where the shadows fall.
Puddles reflect everything
The best reflections are often in the least likely places. A puddle after rain will mirror a building, a tree or a passer-by, and nobody else will have that picture. Hold the camera, or your phone, right down by the water's edge. Puddles are overlooked, and they should not be.
Glass and mirrors
Glass and mirrors give the clearest reflections. Shop windows are especially interesting, because you see the reflection and what is behind the glass at once. Look for angles that create patterns, and check that you are not in the shot yourself, unless you want to be.
Add depth to your pictures
A reflection can add a second layer to a picture and a contrast within it, such as a modern skyline mirrored in a quiet pond. Experiment with where you focus: on the surface itself, with its ripples and leaves, or on the reflected scene.
Check the weather
For a mirror-like reflection on water you need still air. Sunny or cloudy does not matter, so long as there is little or no wind.
Check the forecast, and look for ponds and lakes sheltered by hills or trees, where the water may be calm even on a breezy day. Winds are usually lightest early in the morning, so set the alarm. If the wind does not drop, do not go home. Ripples break a reflection into patterns that can be just as attractive.
Preparation is key
Explore the place before you set up the tripod, and see how the light falls. Take a few test shots to check your settings before the light is at its best.
Use filters
A neutral density (ND) filter cuts down the light entering the lens, so that you can use a slow shutter speed even in daylight. A long exposure smooths away small ripples and gives the water a calm, glassy look.
A polarising filter is useful in a different way. Turning it strengthens or weakens a reflection, so you can control how much you see.
Reduce ripples
To quieten movement on the surface, use a longer shutter speed, on a tripod. If you plan to edit afterwards, take one fast exposure and one slow one, so that you can blend the two.
Editing matters with reflections. The reflected half of a scene is usually a little darker than the real one, and lightening it slightly can balance the picture.
Conclusion
Reflections are challenging and rewarding. With preparation, an eye for light and a willingness to try odd angles, anyone can take striking ones. When you do, our made-to-measure picture frames will show them off, and we are glad to advise on the best frame.
Call EasyFrame on 01234 856 501 or email sales@easyframe.co.uk. We are happy to talk it through even if you do not want to buy.