Reflections

Mirror Images Are All Around

Regensburg, Germany: The pillars of the Regensburg Cathedral reflect in a puddle as seen through a bubbled window.

Reflections add depth, creativity, and a touch of magic to your photos. Whether it's a mirror, water, glass, or even a shiny tabletop, reflective surfaces allow you to play with symmetry and double your composition's impact.

Passau, Germany: Charming windows reflect the architecture from the adjacent building in this unexpected composition.

Adjust your angle to highlight the reflection without distractions, and use natural light to enhance clarity and mood. Reflections aren’t just about duplicating a scene—they’re a tool to spark intrigue, tell a story, or add an artistic twist to your shot.

Tips for Capturing Stunning Photos Using Reflective Surfaces

🌊Find the Right Surface

• Reflections work best on water, glass, polished floors, metal, and even sunglasses.

• Look for smooth, shiny surfaces that create a clear mirrored effect.

📷Shoot from a Low Angle

• Getting closer to the reflective surface enhances the mirror effect and makes the reflection more pronounced.

• This works especially well with puddles, lakes, or glossy floors.

🪞Use Symmetry for Impact

• Reflections create natural symmetry, making your photo visually striking.

• Position your subject so that both the real and reflected image are evenly balanced in the frame.

👆 Tap to Focus on the Reflection –

• Your phone may try to focus on the actual subject instead of the reflection.

• Tap on the reflective area to ensure it’s sharp and clear.

💧Use Water for Creative Effects –

• A puddle or still body of water can create a stunning mirror image.

• A small ripple can add an abstract, painterly effect to the reflection.

🌅Experiment with Different Lighting –

• Golden hour adds warmth to reflections.

• Blue hour enhances cool tones and city lights in water or glass surfaces.

🔆Avoid Overexposed Highlights

• Bright reflections, especially from windows or cars, can cause glare.

• Adjust exposure manually to keep details in both the subject and reflection.

🕶️Look for Unusual Reflective Objects

• Reflections aren’t just in water and mirrors!

• Try using sunglasses, shiny cars, phone screens, or even a spoon for unique perspectives.

🚶 Break the Reflection for Interest

• A reflection doesn’t have to be perfectly symmetrical.

• Introducing an element that disrupts the mirror effect—like a person stepping into a puddle—can add movement and creativity.

🛠️Edit for Clarity –

• Boosting contrast and sharpness can make reflections pop.

• Slight cropping can help eliminate distractions and improve composition.

Reflections add depth, symmetry, and artistic flair to your photos—so start looking for mirror-like surfaces and experiment with different angles to create stunning, eye-catching images!

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