Reflection photography can skyrocket your images into the more interesting subject matter. After all, we are all seeing the world from the same perspective on a daily basis. But if you can find ways to use reflective surfaces, a long shutter speed, and some new subject ideas, you will create a fresh look and creative feel to your photos.
This guide will teach you how to create a reflective composition, use different lenses, camera settings, and create the perfect reflection shot.
Table of Contents
What is Reflection Photography?
So how do you define reflection photography? This type of landscape photography is often also referred to as mirror photography. You become the artist with reflective photography because you create an artistic vision using a reflective surface at different times of the day.
There are many great ideas for reflection photos, including using puddles, pools, sinks, lakes, and even raindrops. But don’t limit yourself to only using water for reflective surface ideas. You can also use mirrors, tiles, and other materials to easily work for a good reflection. Now let’s learn how to shoot reflective photography like a pro!
How to Shoot Reflective Surfaces
When shooting reflections, there are certain things you should keep in mind if you want to capture and create a great composition. These are the best tips to help you photograph reflection photography.
Wide Angle Lens
If you want to take better reflection photos, start by choosing the right photography gear. Typically with reflective images, you will want to use a wide-angle lens because often you will be shooting landscapes. Also, you will want to fill the frame with your subject and reflection, and this is why a wide-angle lens will come in handy for reflection photographs.
Focal Point
If you want to shoot reflections that capture an audience’s attention, it’s key that you set your focal point to the right location. Aim to set your focal point on the reflection itself instead of the thing you are reflecting on. This is especially helpful when shooting subjects such as the sun, sky, florals. Fine-tune your focus to create the most beautiful composition.
Longer Shutter Speed
Another great tool for shooting reflections is to use a long shutter speed, which works exceptionally well when shooting liquid subjects. Using a longer shutter speed and different angles will blur your reflective photography and become even more beautiful. This is also important because you will want to raise your aperture to around f/16 for everything to be in focus, meaning your shutter speed will need to slow a lot to let more light in.
Reduce Glare
In order to reduce the glare in your images, it’s important to shoot in the early morning. The sun will be lower in the sky and create less glare as well as prettier colors. Another way to reduce glare in your reflection photographs is to use a lens hood, use a polarizer, as well as working to find the right angle.
Aperture
Start with a wide aperture and slowly change your aperture until you find the sweet spot for your composition. You may want just a piece of your reflection in focus, or you may want the entire reflection in focus, and this is where you get to be the artist.
The Best Surfaces to Use for Reflections
As mentioned in the intro, there are many subjects that create great reflections. No matter your level of photography skills, you should try experimenting with all the following reflections to see which you like best. Focus on what seems different and inspires your creativity.
Windows
To create beautiful reflections, start by shooting in windows. Windows are a great reflection starting point because they are easy to find and are usually full of light. Try a different scene each day in your homes, such as a reflection of yourself, pet, or other inspiration you find.
Shiny Surface
Reflection can be found on types of shiny surfaces. Experiment with different shiny surfaces such as a glass bottle, tea kettle, spoon, or Christmas ornament. Remember to use a long exposure and a tripod to get the clearest photos and set your aperture to f/16 to get everything in focus.
Water’s Surface
Water is one of the most popular surfaces for reflections. When taking reflective photos of a water scene, try to shoot in the early morning when the water is most still. Search for water will little to no movement to capture the best photos.
Sky
The sky is not reflective but looks incredible in reflective photos. Try to work the sky into your reflections, including looking for it on water or by bringing your own reflective surface and placing the sky inside.
Puddles or a Puddle
Puddles are one of my favorite types of reflection photography. The best time to shoot a puddle is after a big rainstorm when the streets are full of them. If you live in a big city, it’s fun to create reflections of buildings inside puddles. Leave your viewer wondering which way is up or down when shooting at different angles in a puddle.
Mirrors
If you want to create an interesting reflective image, try using a mirror. At the same time, change your perspective by getting low next to the mirror until you find the right view to frame the reflection.
Metal
As mentioned above, metal can create great reflections. Look at different types of metal such as cars, silverware, and jewelry. Keep an eye out for symmetry to create more interesting compositions.
6 Best Tips for Photographing Reflections
Here are some of the best tips to shoot reflections. Some may work for you, and some may not, but you should experiment with each to capture the best-reflected photos.
1. Choose the Best Angle
For better reflections, you must choose the best angle, which will change based on what you are shooting. But generally, you will need to set your camera to shoot down on the reflection. Move your camera until you find the sweet spot in your image. You want your reflection to fill the frame, sometimes including the subject and sometimes just the reflection itself.
2. Use a Polarising Filter
Invest in a filter to help expose your reflection at the same time as the light surrounding it. Often times the lighting is different in your reflections vs. the light around them. That’s why a polarizer can help even out your exposure.
3. Capture the Whole Scene
Reflections should be shot with the scene in mind. To make your photography more creative, try to incorporate the world around the reflected subject.
4. Focus on the Reflection
Carefully set your camera to focus mostly on the reflection. But as mentioned above, you may want to expose the whole scene as well. So it will be important to have a tripod for a long exposure to give you a higher aperture such as f/16.
5. Make use of the Foreground and Horizon
Your photography will inspire others more when you make use of the foreground and horizon. Try to match up your reflection with the horizon by lowering your camera to the horizon or by adding more foreground in front of your reflections.
6. Incorporate Movement
Movement makes any photo come to life. Try to photograph a person running through your image or a bird flying in your reflection. You may even consider pouring water onto your reflection. Reflections with movement in them are always more interesting.
Amazing Examples of Reflection Photography
Here are some reflected images to inspire your next image!
Symmetry in Reflections
Reflected Portraits
Reflected Waterfalls
Interesting Subject Matter
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this article about reflection photography. Reflections are a great way to up your photography game and become more artistic. If you want to learn even more about how to take better photos, try our 365 Days of Photography Course, which is full of tips and easy-to-follow videos to get inspiration on a daily basis!
