5 tips on how to take awesome reflection photos

You just bought a camera and started off as a "photographer" but all your photos look a little bold. I understand we've all been there. When I started my journey as photographer I had no idea how to take nice photos. I just bought a camera and started taking random photos. I don't consider myself as a professional-level photographer but I've taken enough photos to share a thing or two with you.

One of the easy way to get rid of that boring look of your images is the use of reflections. It's a way you make your images more unique and send out more complex emotions.
So on your next photo journey look for reflection points such as rivers, lakes or even a puddle. Also, keep in mind that you don't only get reflection from water but also from glass, hood of a car, window, your friends sunglasses and more. Be creative. Your options are endless.

Use Wide-Angle Lens

It is important that you use wide angle lens to give the image more depth. Reflection photos generally involve landscape photos you want to have even area of focus instead of focusing on a one or few points. Therefore it is more optimal to wide angle lens that gives more depth in the overall image. Of course, you shouldn't limit yourself to just using wide-angle lenses. Be creative with it!

• Canon EF 11-24mm F 4 L USM
• Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM Ultra-Wide Angle
• Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G
• Nikon 16-35mm f/4 VR
• Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC

Check the Weather

Reflection photos are usually taken at a lake or a pond to get that nice reflection off of that steady water. When taking reflection photos at a lake or pond, make sure you pick a less windy day so you get very clear reflection without ripples. One other best day to take reflection photos are during or after a rainy day. Go out after a rainy day and look for those puddles and practice those amazing shots!

Get Low

If you want the entire reflection to show on your image get as low as possible where you're almost touching the water. Get very low and look for that perfect split between the reflection and the object. You can hang your tripod upside down to get low enough. If you have a camera with swivel LCD screen it makes it easier without having to hang your camera upside down.

Utilize Shutter Speed

There are two ways you can set your shutter speed when taking reflection photos - obviously, fast and slow. If you want to have your object reflected on a calm and steady water, use a fast shutter speed. You'll make your image look like the time is frozen. But it will result in reflection coming out darker so you'll need to adjust your ISO to balance. On the other hand, if it's windy and water isn't steady, use shutter speed longer than a second to smooth out the ripple and you can have something more special than usual. 

Utilize different objects

Step outside of the box and be creative. Most people will go to a pond or a lake to capture that amazing shot. But there are many things around your that will create that stunning reflection. For example, check out this glass ball. Something as simple as this created an awesome looking image. If you don't have a cool looking glass ball like this one, there are many things in life you can use. Your phone, window, your car, friend's glasses, mirror (duh). If you try to look for it, you'll see one easily. Be creative!



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