Use a pool of water as a mirror to
creatively shoot your subject
Use
bright props to capture some colour in your reflection
Great shot secret!
As you’re likely be photographing straight
down into a reflection, be sure to focus on your main subject, allowing your
camera to expose for them rather than the bright sky behind.
What you’ll need…
Digital camera
We used…
Olympus PEN E-PL3
You could try…
Any digital camera
Cameraphone
What you’ll learn…
How to effectively capture your subject’s
reflection in a pool of water
Reflections can makes for a very
interesting subject, and one that can easily get creative with. They can come
in all different shapes and sizes, from window reflections, water, or even more
imaginative items such as jewellery and sunglasses, meaning that absolutely
anymore can try out shooting reflections, wherever they are.
As well as being able to use reflections
creatively in a photo, it is possible to use them as your main subject within a
shot. Focusing on the reflection as either the majority or entire composition
of your image can be a great way of experimenting with it as a focal point.
Reflections can also offer a new way to frame another subject, whether this is
a portrait or an architectural shot, and it’s a great way to step back from a
basic composition and produce something a little more imaginative.
So whether you’re applying the techniques
to home setup, or off out to capture shots at a local park, grab your camera
and your wellies and follow along with these simple steps.
Water movement
Be sure to wait for the water to calm down,
or even block the wind so that any ripples in the puddle don’t ruin your shot
Water
movement
“Absolutely anyone can try out shooting
some creative reflections, wherever they are”
Shoot water reflections
Tips to get the best from your creative
image
1.
Composition
Before taking your shot it is important to
consider what you want to achieve. Whether this is to use the reflection to
frame the subject to mirror it in the water, or even to highlight the
reflection itself.
Composition
2.
Place yourself correctly
A common error with this sort of shot is to
capture yourself with the image by mistake. Whether using a puddle, a window or
any other reflection, be sure to keep an eye on yourself any try not to enter
the frame without realizing it.
Place
yourself correctly
3.
Shutter speed
Reflections in water are subject to slight
movement and ripples. Although this can be somewhat avoided by shooting earlier
in the day when the air is calmer, using a faster shutter speed will help to
freeze the motion and keep everything still.
Shutter
speed
4.
Perfect focus
To effectively capture your reflected
subject, you need to make sure the camera is focused on your subject and not
the surface of the water. Set the focus point to your subject’s reflection, but
pay attention just in case the camera switches the focus.
Perfect
focus
5.
High ISO
With this type of shot, you’ll probably be
shooting on a dull day. Boosting your ISO will allow your camera to use faster
shutter speeds, ensuring no ripples are visible in the water and you get a
sharp shot. Just watch out of for grain appearing in your photos.
High
ISO
6.
Creative shooting
Creative shots often work really well with
photo filters. If your camera has an art filter or effects mode, try
experimenting with effects like black and white, selective colouring, miniature
mode and redo-looking styles to give your photo plenty of extra bite.
Creative
shooting
