How to Photograph Reflections: Creating Mirror Images

How to Photograph Reflections: Creating Mirror Images. At Kelly Tareski Photography, we believe that reflection photography is a powerful way to add depth and intrigue to your images. This technique allows you to create stunning mirror-like effects that captivate viewers and elevate your photography skills.

In this guide, we’ll share our expertise on capturing reflections, from essential equipment to advanced techniques. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned photographer, this photography education resource will help you master the art of reflection photography.

What Equipment Do You Need for Reflection Photography?

Reflection photography demands specific gear to capture those mesmerizing mirror-like images. Here’s what you need to get started:

The Right Camera

A camera with manual settings is essential. This allows you to control exposure, aperture, and shutter speed precisely. DSLRs and mirrorless cameras are excellent choices. The Canon EOS R5 or Nikon Z7 II offer superior image quality and manual control. However, even some advanced point-and-shoot cameras can work if they have manual modes.

Lenses for Every Scenario

A wide-angle lens is often recommended for landscape reflections, but don’t limit yourself. A 24-70mm zoom lens offers versatility for various reflection scenarios. For tighter shots or distant reflections, a telephoto lens (like a 70-200mm) can be invaluable. Prime lenses, such as a 35mm or 50mm, are great for street reflections due to their wide apertures.

Stability is Key

A sturdy tripod is non-negotiable for reflection photography. It ensures sharp images, especially in low light conditions when slower shutter speeds are necessary. Carbon fiber tripods offer excellent stability without adding excessive weight to your gear.

Filters for Enhanced Control

A circular polarizing filter is a game-changer for reflection photography. The filter has two pieces of glass sandwiched together. The linear polarizer glass blocks light waves from certain directions to reduce glare and reflections. You can rotate the filter to either enhance or reduce reflections on water or glass surfaces.

Additional Accessories

Don’t forget about other helpful accessories. A remote shutter release can minimize camera shake during long exposures. Neutral density filters can help you achieve longer exposures in bright conditions, creating smooth water reflections. A lens cleaning kit (including microfiber cloths and cleaning solution) is also essential to keep your gear spotless and reflection-ready.

Now that we’ve covered the essential equipment, let’s move on to finding the perfect subjects for your reflection photography. The right gear combined with the ideal subject will set you up for stunning mirror-like images.

Where to Find Perfect Reflection Subjects

At Kelly Tareski Photography, we’ve explored countless locations to capture stunning reflections. This guide will help you discover the best subjects for your mirror-like images.

Water Bodies: Nature’s Mirror

Lakes, rivers, and even small puddles offer incredible opportunities for reflection photography. Early mornings provide the calmest water surfaces, ideal for capturing mirror-like reflections. The Spokane River, with its Sacred Dancing Cascade area, is a prime location for water reflections. For puddle reflections, head out after rain showers and look for still water on sidewalks or in parking lots.

Urban Reflections: Glass and Metal

Cities are treasure troves of reflective surfaces. Glass-fronted buildings can create fascinating abstract images, especially during golden hour when the light is soft and warm. The Spokane skyline offers numerous opportunities for urban reflection photography. Don’t overlook everyday objects like parked cars or polished metal sculptures – they can provide unexpected and striking reflections.

Natural Elements: Ice and Wet Surfaces

Winter and rainy seasons bring unique reflection opportunities. Icy surfaces can create otherworldly reflections, while wet streets after a rainstorm can transform ordinary scenes into captivating images. Mount Spokane State Park is an excellent location for capturing reflections during various seasons.

Everyday Objects: Unexpected Mirrors

Your home and surroundings are full of potential reflection subjects. A coffee shop window, a polished tabletop, or even a shiny kitchen appliance can become an interesting canvas for reflection photography. Try to spot these everyday mirrors in your daily life (you’ll be surprised how many you’ll find once you start looking).

Reflective Art Installations

Many cities feature public art installations with reflective surfaces. These can range from polished metal sculptures to interactive mirror displays. These installations often provide unique opportunities for creative reflection photography, combining art with your own artistic vision.

The key to great reflection photography is keen observation. Train your eye to spot reflective surfaces in various environments. As you practice, you’ll start to see potential shots everywhere. Now that you know where to find perfect reflection subjects, let’s explore the techniques to capture these stunning mirror images effectively.

How to Master Reflection Photography Techniques

Timing is Everything

The time of day you choose to shoot can significantly impact your reflection photos. Early morning and late afternoon (often called the golden hours) offer soft, warm light that enhances reflections. During these times, the low angle of the sun creates long shadows and vibrant colors, perfect for capturing dramatic mirror images.

For water reflections, try to shoot during calm conditions. Early mornings often provide still water surfaces, ideal for capturing crisp reflections. If you’re shooting urban reflections, experiment with different times of day to see how changing light affects the reflective qualities of buildings and other structures.

Perfecting Your Composition

Symmetry is a powerful tool in reflection photography. Position your camera to align the real subject with its reflection, creating a balanced, eye-catching image. Use your camera’s grid feature to ensure perfect alignment.

However, don’t be afraid to break the rules. The rule of thirds can add interest to your reflection shots. Try placing the horizon line along the upper or lower third of the frame, rather than in the center. This can create a more dynamic composition, especially when photographing landscapes with water reflections.

Mastering Camera Settings

Exposure and shutter speed play a vital role in reflection photography. For sharp, detailed reflections, use a faster shutter speed. If you want a more abstract look with water reflections, slow down your shutter speed to create a smooth, glassy effect.

When shooting in low light conditions, increase your ISO to maintain a faster shutter speed. However, be cautious not to raise it too high, as this can introduce noise into your images. A good starting point is to set your aperture between f/8 and f/11 for a balance of sharpness and depth of field.

Exploring Unique Perspectives

Don’t limit yourself to eye-level shots. Get low to the ground for puddle reflections, or climb to a higher vantage point for a bird’s-eye view of reflective surfaces. Changing your perspective can transform an ordinary scene into an extraordinary image.

Experiment with partial reflections. Not every reflection photo needs to show a complete mirror image. Sometimes, capturing just a portion of the reflection can create intrigue and encourage viewers to engage more deeply with your image.

Advanced Techniques

To further enhance your reflection photography, consider these advanced techniques:

1. Use a polarizing filter to control the intensity of reflections. The angle that is filtered is controlled by rotating the polarizer itself, and the strength of this effect can be controlled by changing the camera’s line of sight.
2. Try long exposure techniques to create smooth, ethereal water reflections. Unless a large part of your scene includes the sky, use a polarizer to minimize glare from reflective surfaces such as water.
3. Experiment with intentional camera movement to create abstract reflection images (this works well with colorful urban scenes).
4. Consider using props to create interesting shadows or reflections in your compositions.

Practice these techniques regularly, and you’ll soon master the art of capturing stunning reflection photos that showcase your unique vision and technical skill.

Final Thoughts

Reflection photography unlocks a world of creative possibilities. You can capture stunning mirror-like images that captivate viewers through mastery of essential equipment, perfect subject selection, and refined techniques. Careful observation, patience, and experimentation with different angles and compositions will lead to success in this art form.

Kelly Tareski Photography offers photography education and services to help photographers of all levels grow their craft. We invite you to share your reflection photography results with us and join our community of creative individuals. Our passion lies in supporting your photographic journey and helping you develop your unique style.

We provide a range of options from senior portraits to commercial shots for those who want to further develop their skills or explore professional photography services. Visit our website to learn more about our personalized photography services (and how we can help you create cherished, high-quality images that stand the test of time). How to Photograph Reflections: Creating Mirror Images.