Photographing reflections can be tricky, but they can also add another dimension to your photography. While some photographers think reflections are annoying, they can also be a creative tool that can take your images to another level.

In this episode, Gina and Valerie discuss where to look for reflections, how to use them to your advantage and what you need to do to achieve the look you want.

Click play to listen to the podcast or find it on iTunes here. If you don’t use iTunes you can get the feed here, or listen to us on Stitcher radio.

Show notes

Shout outs

Hugo Takes a Selfie | 8.5+ Years (via Ian Hulme)

 

Smart MacGyvers

 

Peter used the welding glass suggestion from the episode 73 (Filters). He says:
“Welding glass would have been a shade 13. On my then new pride and joy 1100D with kit lens in Coffs Harbour NSW. You can see the weird purple lens flare on the SOOC shot and how it cleans up with a B&W conversion. ISO200 f13 31s 18mm. I used a rubber lens hood and the old plastic duct tape to secure it.”

How to photograph reflections

Yes, there are annoying reflections:

• Reflections in photographs can be really annoying for photographers
• Highly reflective backgrounds wreak havoc with flash
• People wearing glasses
• Light bouncing of glass or water

BUT the right angle or twist in perspective and time of day can create a really beautiful image.

Here are some great examples:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creative reflections in portrait photography

Cool idea from wedding photographer

 

 

When shooting landscapes

• Shoot at F8 or higher for maximum depth of field
• Fast shutter speed to freeze movement
• Camera will overexpose so watch out for blown highlights

Look for different kinds of reflective surfaces

Water

• Shallow will be the stillest
• Large bodies of water like lakes and ocean are constantly moving so you don’t get that mirrored look

Shiny metal

Glass

Mirrors

Creative reflections in landscape photography

• With landscape, images look really strong when they are symmetrical
• Forget about the rule of thirds
• High shutterspeed
• High depth of field for maximum detail
• Use a neutral grad filter
• Throw a stone into the water to show ripples so it looks like a reflection

How to create water droplet macro

 

• Macro lens
• Drops of water
• Flower or anything you want reflected approx 4-6 inches in the background
• Dropper to position the water
• Glycerine creates a thicker droplet (make your own with sugar and water)
• High aperture
• Bright sun hitting droplet will create starbursts
• It’s easier to focus and work using a tripod
• Focus manually because autofocus and macro does your head in
• Fake flowers work well, you can’t tell the difference
• Look for foliage that’s rough or course rather than shiny so the drops have something to grip on to
• You can use anything as a reflection.
• Shoot indoors because wind or a breeze with blow your droplets away and it’s really difficult to focus

Portraits

• Mirror
• Through glass
• Shiny floor perspex or vinyl or high gloss paint
• After rain
• Wet the ground before a shoot
• Reflected in a shiny surface
• Sunglasses with flash reflected
• Shoot through perspex

#ginachallenge #shinythings