What do you do when you’re getting ready to leave your home? You look in the mirror. We look to see the image we are reflecting. Reflections are formed when light bounces off a surface, creating a mirror image of the viewed object, in this case us!

As photographers, we look for reflections in:

Water

Buildings

Cars

Anything shiny can help create a reflection.

I’ve fallen down a rabbit hole again. I never gave too much thought about reflections or how I used them. I just liked them and used them a lot. So here are some tips I found while visiting some rabbits.

Still water: a body of water with minimal movement will give you clear reflections.

Check the angle of your camera for the clearest reflections.

Pay attention to lighting. Harsh glare can ruin a reflection while the golden hour can create a magnificent one.

Dull lighting can work also as found in puddles.

Long exposures is something I have never tried because I don’t carry around my tripod or my one ND filter. But the rabbit told me not to let you down and to ask Leanne Cole for advice.

Advice from Leanne Cole:

“You definitely need a tripod and ND filters. Timing depends on the filter you are using and the available light. You might need 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes or more. I use an aperture between f8 and f14. I tend to use the aperture to help me get the time I want. Long exposure for water is great when the water isn’t quite mirror like, but almost. An exposure of 20 or 30 seconds can get you that mirror like photos.”

Leanne’s Images!

Thank you Leanne!

Again, do as I say, not as I do. Use polarizing filters especially when photographing on glass. I’ve been lucky—and lazy! I love capturing interesting window reflections. These images were not photographed in bright sunlight. The first is a window reflection of a building across the street. The pink photograph is of a beauty salon and the trees across the street.

Now for some fun things the rabbit reminded me of. Have you ever used a crystal ball?

You photograph a subject through one and the magic happens—upside down reflections.

And how about seeing a busy shop through an antique mirror?

The rabbit finally tired of all my questions and chased me back to reality. Now it’s time for you to experiment with reflections of any kind. I’m looking forward to seeing how you and your camera reflect on various subjects. Most of all, just have fun!

When you post your fun photos, remember to link back to this post and use the Lens-Artists tag. I’m looking forward to seeing all your reflections this week. Last week Beth presented her first challenge as a team member. It was sure a stormy week. I enjoyed seeing and reading your posts. Next week Ann-Christine is challenging us, so stay tuned.

In the meantime, stay safe and live in gratitude!

106 thoughts on “Lens-Artist Challenge #354: Reflections”

  5. Anne, your post is filled with many great examples of reflections and good tips on how to achieve a good reflection in a photo. I love the image of the bridge reflecting in the water at the golden hour and the mountain reflection. And many thanks to Leeanne for her advice and images! Thanks for the topic!

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  15. A good theme Anne. My favourites are the Egret but the window reflection of a building across the street is definitely my absolute favourite. That’s print and frame photo 😀

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    1. Thanks Leanne! I couldn’t get WP to put all my photos side by side, and since I uploaded both of yours at the same time expecting them to be side by side they were vertical. I think they still looked great. You could tell they were separate. I haven’t seen your post yet!

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  18. A great challenge, Anne and some gorgeous reflections.

    I love shop reflections, but water – beach, river or lake – does just fine for me.

    Your image of the snow-covered hills/mountains reflected in the lake is my favourite as I love snow-kissed landscapes, let alone lake reflections.

    (and here’s one challenge when I know exactly where to look in my archives).

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  19. Fell into a rabbit hole, came out with shiny tips and a respect for puddles.
    Ah…Reflections! Love ‘em.
    Still water, shiny cars, or shop windows pretending to be art galleries.
    And the Moral…Shoot first, ask the rabbit later. 🐇📸
    Stay reflective. But like, photogenically.
    Thank you, AS, for these wonderful clicks!
    Window reflection is my favourite!

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    1. Thanks Philo! I liked “shop windows pretending to be art galleries.” Yes, always ask the rabbit later. He keeps hopping in and out of my challenges. He’s having too much fun. Where’s your reflective post?

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      1. Haha, that rabbit really knows how to turn a challenge into a game of hide and seek! 🐇 It’s always a joy to join your themes, Anne Sandler—there’s something special about how they reflect both creativity and fun. My reflective post is on its way soon! 😃😃

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  29. A wonderful selection of images, Anne! You and I are on the same wavelength. What’s a tripod? >grin<
    Leanne's comments are well taken, though a tripod is something I seldom have along.

    I especially love that golden hour bridge image, and the lens-ball reminded me that I have examples for my own response!

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  38. What a superb post. Great images and good advice. I’ve never considered a polarising filter for glass reflections. Having read that I want to go and try it. An ND filter is another good tip. I really enjoy looking through images on blogs but I love learning from a post at the same time 🙂

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  41. Hi Anne
    We tried to used photographing reflections in a crystal ball and in concave and convex mirrors, but may be we were not patient enough it didn’t work out well, not our aesthetic standards.
    We like your pictures of reflections, especially cars.
    Thanks for sharing
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

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  42. A wonderful challenge, Anne! Who can resist it? Great examples all – any favourites? – All of them! Funny taking up cars as well. I will search my archives tonight – I know I have a great deal of shots that might fit in!

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