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Photo Tips & Techniques

Reflect Upon This by Russ Burden By incorporating the reflective surface into the composition, a more intriguing way of showing the primary subject is unveiled. Article rating: 9.00

The still water of a quiet morning, the shiny surface of a polished object, the window that reveals a mirror image of a far away subject can all help the eager photographer come home with potentially fantastic images. The commonality between these items is they produce a reflection. Interest is added to what may be a common or mundane element. By incorporating the reflective surface into the composition, a more intriguing way of showing the primary subject is unveiled. Reflections are found in many places. Step one to capturing great shots of them simply requires one opens his or her eyes to the environment to see them.

Reflections can be found in nature or in man made objects. Mirrors are the obvious first thought that comes to mind so by finding surfaces that act like a mirror, one can easily expand the possibilities of using them in their compositions. The next time it rains, simply look in a puddle to see the surroundings inverted in its water. If you live in a city with lots of lights, note how they reflect off the streets simply because the surface is wet. So rather than just photograph the city lights, include the shimmering surface of the neon glow reflected on the pavement to add interest.

Any glass surface has reflective potential. Based on the angle at which it’s viewed and the direction of light, reflections can be very strong. Look at any window from different angles to see how changing your vantage point helps emphasize or eliminate a subject reflected in its surface. Try using a polarizer to heighten the effect of the reflection but be careful because spinning it to a specific point can also obliterate it. Be it an image captured in a single pane of glass or of multiple buildings reflecting their shapes into a towering glass skyscraper, use both your wide angle and telephoto eyes to find the best images.

Water is often used by photographers to create great reflection shots. A still and quiet morning at a lake just about guarantees you’ll get a reflection. Coupled with a gloriously colored sunrise and the potential to come home with a winner is amplified. If you live along the coast, go to the tide pools at low tide to get shots of the sea life reflected in the water that surrounds them. Head outside after a soaking rain and look for puddles. Walk 360 degrees around them looking for potential photographs. Getting low to the ground will strongly impact what you see in the reflection. Bring a large plastic baggy to lay upon if you don’t want to get wet.

When photographing reflections, an alert photographer realizes he or she has the option to make an image of just the reflected portion or include it with the actual subject. I suggest you do both as it’s better to decide which one you prefer when you’re sitting at the computer rather than kicking yourself for not doing both and wishing that you had. By the way, don’t limit yourself to just the outdoors. Play with mirrors and do some table top set ups. A great product to use is mylar. Found at most art supply stores, a single sheet will give you hours and hours of photographic fun shooting reflections.

To learn more about this topic, join me on one of my Photographic Nature Tours. Visit www.russburdenphotography.com and click on the NATURE TOURS button for more information. Also, pick up a copy of my new book, Amphoto’s Complete Book of Photography. You can purchase a signed copy directly from me or visit your local book store or Amazon. Contact me at rburden@ecentral.com to order your signed copy

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