Reflections are a mainstay of photography, and with good reason – reflections are everywhere in the world around us, and can provide a variety of effects, from spectacular symmetrical sunsets to eerie window portraits.
Using reflections is one of the most popular—and powerful—techniques in photography, from beautiful sunsets to lonely silhouettes.
Water Planes
Probably the most common type of reflection photography out there, but that doesn’t mean that it’s all just cliché. Spectacular sky-scapes reflected on water are a mainstay—the symmetry provides for double the beauty, after.
Beyond that, many photographers choose to mix it up with silhouettes, common water features such as docks, but also human silhouettes or the natural curve of the shore.
Nor does the reflection have to be the focus of the picture. The focus of the picture could be something completely different, while the reflection itself merely provides a subtle, simple background. It’s a time-honored way to take a picture, and one that is difficult not to have exquisite results with.
Times near dawn and dusk are the most typical, and with good reason: not only is the water is more likely to be calm, but the colors and clouds of the sky also tend to be more dramatic. Take a walk in a park near you—maybe with a friend for some silhouettes or brainstorming, or maybe with just an eye for interesting features and lines.
In our modern world of glass and steel, man-made reflective surfaces abound.
While sunsets and storm clouds look fantastic on the face of a skyscraper, many of these surfaces are only half-reflective—which in itself can be used as a powerful tool. A pane of glass can be a window to both the inside and outside worlds, a medium for very surreal effects.
Experiment with the manmade surfaces around you. They don’t have to be perfectly reflective—dirty glass, while maybe not the prettiest for a passerby, can provide a gritty noir mood to a photograph. Partial reflections can be used to juxtapose multiple scenes on top of each other, so keep a keen eye out on your surroundings. A walk through any urban environment and a creative eye is bound to be fruitful.
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