![]() So you have two possibilities: either completely avoid the CPL or use it to the maximum of its constructive characteristics. Even if you are not creating a photo with reflections on the surface of the water but instead use the mirrored surface of a skyscraper, the CPL will close this possibility. The CPL filter “kills” any possibility of reflections on water and on non-metallic surfaces. If you read this article on the characteristics of the CPL you will understand in a moment why. But in this case, even in landscape photography, the CPL filter is more harmful than useful. A pool of water left by the rain, a river, the water of the sea that remains on the rocks when the tide is withdrawn, a lake, etc.Īnd under these conditions it is easy to find yourself using the polarising filter. The simplest way to obtain a reflection is to use a composite surface of water as a mirror. Why You Should Not Use a CPL for Reflection Photography I make sure I have the same amount of sky or ‘air’ both above and below. In fact, I often find myself placing the reflection line right in the middle of the frame to achieve symmetry. It sometimes make sense to balance the composition along a central line. Think of a reflection in the calm surface of a lake. This is due to the precise and almost ‘geometric’ nature of natural reflections. When it comes to reflections, however, you’ll want to do exactly what these rules tell you not to. Some of photography’s most common rules are the rule of thirds, and not placing either your subject or the horizon in the center of the image. This is especially true of reflection photography. And you’ve got yourself an interesting image.ĭon’t let ‘proper’ composition rules constrain your photography choices. Fill the frame with the puddle and the building reflected in it. You can find a puddle reflecting a beautiful 200 year old building, and that’s your shot. It might be easier to photograph reflections in the city at first. Once you’ve got the right weather and settings down, what will really make your image is your composition. Photographing reflections is quite easy from a technical point of view. Forget Composition Rules for More Interesting Reflections You can’t get reflections on streams and mountain rivers. When doing reflection photography, aim for calm weather, and a completely still body of water. ![]() But some situations can complicate your life, and ruin your images.įor example, too much wind will ruin your reflections. On one hand, reflections can improve a composition when you have a grey sky or one completely clear of clouds. Weather also plays an important role in photographing reflections. If your mirror is in a shaded area, this will help you emphasise the reflection. Or with an overcast sky, the reflection can help to make an otherwise boring sky interesting. The mist and the colored clouds of the sunset are a great subject. The best time for reflections is usually in the early hours of the day or in the evening. That’ll be the best angle to bounce the rays of light off your chosen mirror surface. You have to take your scene into account, adjust your position or your camera’s, and ensure you keep the sun out of your image. There’s no one composition fits all though. It’s all a matter of finding that right angle. It’ll make your reflection almost completely unreadable. The sun would considerably reduce the reflection of the main element and the contrast of the scene. If it is in your composition, it will be reflected in the lake and ruin your shot. When composing such a scene, you must be careful to keep the sun out of your image. A landscape photograph of a small alpine lake reflecting the dark tree silhouettes surrounding it. But this source of light can’t show up in your image. Reflections are generated thanks to a source of light. Reasons Why Angles are Crucial in Reflection PhotographyĬapturing a good reflection in a photograph is very often a matter of getting the right angle.
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