Make Photos Stand Out With Reflections
Create a parallel world
There is something interesting about taking reflections in photography. I think it is a unique way of bringing the image alive by adding depth to photography. Reflections can be layered with story-telling elements or one can just let them be abstracts.
In the urban context, one can explore images of water reflections of monuments, the city atmosphere in general or just abstracts that portray colours, patterns and symmetry.
Reflections in photography have been inspired by painting and other art forms. Artists like Jan Van Eyck and Diego Velazquez made use of mirrors to create artwork. In the 19th century, a photographer named Eugene Atget was known for creating some interesting reflections through photography in an urban environment.
It is rather common in India to see photographers setting out in the monsoon season to capture reflections of the city in puddles created by a downpour. Instagram is full of such photographs! I personally like taking reflections that I get on a beach. The whole scene contributes to making the photograph surreal and artistic.
The opportunities to capture reflections are diverse for photographers. One can capture images in water — in rain puddles and lakes. Early morning soft light and the golden light in the evenings will make these photos magical. Glasses and windows in cities offer great possibilities for a photographer. One can capture designs and patterns extensively. Using mirrors to capture reflections is common.
A lot depends on the focal length and the lens used. A wide-angle lens will give a larger area of the real scene and the reflection. With a telephoto lens, one will just get the reflection. It really depends on the photographer’s vision and creativity while making the photograph.
I feel reflections in photographs create a parallel world providing a unique opportunity for storytelling. Reflections enable one to see beyond what is already there. The photograph is no longer a two-dimensional image. When we create a “reflection photograph,” it comes across as a three-dimensional image as some depth and layer has been added.
It is interesting because this is another way of seeing the world. A new story can be associated with the image since the reflection invariably creates a new element, narrative and meaning. In the end, one is adding something more to a simple and straightforward image.
The interesting part about reflections in photography is that you don’t always need to have a neat image. Distorted reflections also work and give the image an abstract form. When seeking out reflections on specific surfaces, we also have to keep in mind the time of the day to see how the light is shaping the reflection. Once we have that figured out, experimenting with different angles and perspectives will enhance the photograph to the next level.
