Technology changes with time, but the fundamentals and recipes in photography remains. This article was first published in 2006, revised in 2018
Seeing beyond the obvious has always been a challenge for many amateur and professional photographers, as they go in search for that unique and creative angle. This has also brought about the term “the art of seeing”. One of the tools used in the art of seeing happens to be something that most of us take for granted in our daily lives – Reflections.
Most often than not, everyday we will pass by some reflective objects that show the daily fleeting moments in a different dimension. It can be the puddle of water on the floor, the side mirror of the motorcycle, polished black cars, the glass windows and even your sun shades. Given enough effort plus a twist of creativity and curiosity, you are sure to be able to unravel the beauty behind the reflections and capture them with your digital camera.
And the most beautiful thing about photography is you do not need a sophisticated camera to capture images of reflections. The compact camera with its Program mode is able to do the job well. But of course, the Digital SLRs provides the photographers with more options to play with, such as the higher range of ISO to minimize camera shake, wider range of aperture and the wider choice of lens to be used.
Your main problem would probably be camera shake due to shutter speed slower than 1/(focal length). In this case, you may have to consider using a higher ISO and a bigger aperture to get you a faster shutter speed to minimize camera shake.
For a start, if you are in a situation where you do not know what subjects to look out for or do not know what to shoot, you can try playing with reflections. The below shall serve as a useful guide to aid you in the search for reflections.
The ingredients for reflection:
- Establish the main subject
- A sunny day or brightly lit subject gives the best opportunities for good reflections.
- Look out for puddles of water on the floor.
- Look out for calm water, such as canal or lake.
- Look out for mirror, which can be the rear mirror of a car.
- Look out for glass.
- Look out for polished black cars.
With the above in mind, you can use this technique and tips in your quest to unravel the beauty of reflections.
Matrix metering, Daylight White Balance, ISO400, Program Mode, Shutter speed 1/160s, Aperture f6.3
Walk along a street lined with cars. Look out for black polished car and with a twist of luck with strong sunshine, you can capture reflection of the building.
Center weighted metering, Daylight White Balance, ISO160, Aperture Priority Mode, Shutter speed 1/1250s, Aperture f8
The relatively calm water reveals the reflection of the clouds. Shot through the window of a moving bus in Tibet, the formula to achieve satisfactory result is to achieve a fast shutter speed of at least 1/1000s to get the shot done on a moving bus.
Matrix metering, Daylight White Balance, ISO125, Program Mode, Shutter speed 3s, Aperture f8, D2X
The relatively still water in Sukhothyai, Thailand reveals the beauty of the reflection. The 3 seconds shutter speed is sufficient to capture the fireworks.
Centre weighted metering, ISO100, Program Mode, Shutter speed 1/125s, Aperture f6.7
The very calm water reveals the row of coconut trees in this ancient castle in Mandalay, Myanmar.
Centre Weighted metering, ISO400, Program Mode, Shutter speed 1/30s, Aperture f4.5
The still water reveals the reflection of the buildings in twilight mood. Appreciate the colour of the sky while you search for the reflection.
Matrix metering, Daylight White Balance, ISO250, Program Mode, Shutter speed 1/125s, Aperture f5.6
These 3 kids are resting by the bank in Bedugul in Bali contemplating on the reflection of the temple, when one of them looked up suddenly.
Matrix metering, Daylight White Balance, ISO400, Program Mode, Shutter speed 1/125s, Aperture f6.7
Look out for bright subject in the midst of the reflection. The golden pagoda shines prominently in this lake in Yangon, Myanmar.
Centre weighted metering, Daylight White Balance, ISO500, Program Mode, Shutter speed 1/320s, Aperture f8.5
Look out for the shining surface of the building. Notice that when the lighting is not strong, the reflection will look dull.
Centre weighted metering, Daylight White Balance, ISO800, Aperture Priority Mode, Shutter speed 1/80s, Aperture f4.8
The photographer got shot. Done through the reflection of a glass door.
Centre weighted metering, Daylight White Balance, ISO500, Aperture Priority Mode, Shutter speed 1/1250s, Aperture f4.5
Walking along the street in Hong Kong’s commercial district in the setting sun will reveal a lot of splendid reflection of the buildings in the midst of the golden light of the sunset.
Centre Weighted metering, Daylight White Balance, ISO640, Aperture Priority Mode, Shutter speed 1/160s, Aperture f4.5
I walked out of the hotel lobby and saw this reflection off the huge glass windows.
Matrix metering, Daylight White Balance, ISO800, Aperture Priority Mode, Shutter speed 1/100s, Aperture f4.5, D2X
The golden ray of the setting sun makes this reflection shot full of nostalgia.
Centre weighted metering, Daylight White Balance, ISO200, Program Mode, Shutter speed 1/180s, Aperture f6.7
Walking along Chinatown on a sunny morning. I saw the reflection of the Indian temple on the window.
Matrix metering, Daylight White Balance, ISO200, Program Mode, Shutter speed 1/250s, Aperture f7.6
The motorcycle parked in an alley. The lighting is strong in that morning. Go closer, you will see the reflection of the buildings in the side mirror.
Centre Weighted metering, Daylight White Balance, ISO100, Aperture Priority Mode, Shutter speed 1/200s, Aperture f4.5, D2X
The group of us were taking a break by the road in Xinjiang when we spotted a puddle of water which reveals the reflection of the 4 sheeps.
Matrix metering, Daylight White Balance, ISO250, Aperture Priority Mode, Shutter speed 1/1250s, Aperture f4.5
When there is a puddle of water, look out for reflection. If there is no main subject, ask your friend to pose for you then!
Matrix metering, Daylight White Balance, ISO500, Aperture Priority Mode, Shutter speed 1/50s, Aperture f5.6
This pool of flower filled water reveals a reflection of the goddess of mercy statue.
Matrix metering, Daylight White Balance, ISO320, Program Mode, Shutter speed 1/80s, Aperture f4.2
A puddle of water after a downpour, kneel down a little and you can see the reflection.
Centre weighted metering, Daylight White Balance, ISO400, Aperture Priority Mode, Shutter speed 1/30s, Aperture f5
Shooting with a group of friends, you can help to pose for one another.
