Reflections

Reflections

Reflections Photography is the art or technique of using reflective surfaces to capture beautiful and unique images. Common surfaces used for reflective photography are bodies of water, windows, and mirrors. Using reflective surfaces is a great way to create abstract images. Often, images created using reflections have a more artistic appeal. Although any reflective surfaces can be used, mirrors are often the less chosen because they can be very difficult to work with.

Using Flash

Be very careful when photographing with mirrors. It is often best to not use a flash or to use a very low flash because it can produce unwanted glare or bright spots in the image. Pay very special attention to all light sources in the area. It may take multiple adjustments with the mirror to eliminate all the possible glares.

If you must use a flash, make sure you do not stand directly in front on the mirror. It is best to stand off to the side. Your body should be almost perpendicular to the mirror. This is the best way to reduce the chance of glare from a flash affecting the image.

Reflections in water

In Nature reflections are everywhere, in lakes, rivers, ponds and other water bodies etc. one could even find reflections in a small puddle of water. Reflections help add powerful emotions and thus create visually interesting images.  Subjects like colourful autumn foliage in trees, mountains, buildings, harbor and boats etc are all subjects that make great reflections.

Overcast days are the best to shoot reflections in water, best case scenario is when you subject is illuminated by the sun’s light and the water in front of you is still in shade, such conditions produce very dramatic images.

This is the most important tip to remember while shooting reflections in water, always place the sun at your back, else you will end up with very dark reflections.

Lighting

High Key Lighting

High-key lighting is a style of lighting for film, television, or photography that aims to reduce the lighting ratio present in the scene. This was originally done partly for technological reasons, since early film and television did not deal well with high contrast ratios, but now is used to suggest an upbeat mood.

Low Key Lighting

1. Low-key lighting is a style of lighting for photography, film or television. It is a necessary element in creating a chiaroscuro effect. It involves a dark background and a low exposure on the camera setting. This is so the shutter doesn't let a lot of light in, which creates Low Key lighting.

   

   
   

   

   
   

   
   

   
   

Magazine Covers

Magazine Covers

Carp Magazines

On the front cover of Carp Magazines, there is usually a big photo that covers most of the page. On the front page of Carp Talk there is a big photo with usually 3-4 more other smaller photos scattered around the page in little boxes. However on Crafty Carper there is usually just one large photo, and several key bits of information of the content that is inside the magazine.

Sports Magazines

Sports Magazines such as sports illustrated are usually unique pictures on the front cover. On the 'King of the pool' issue, the photo has been taken from a fast shutter speed to capture the splash in the water. This is also a unique photo down to the fact of the reflection of the swimmer in the water.

On the front cover of this snooker magazine, the photo is shot on a black background with lighting directly behind Ronnie's head which gives a unique picture shot.

Fitness Magazines

On Fitness Magazines such as Mens Health and Mens Fitness, there is usually a model on the front cover standing in a white or black background, with the photographer using a flash on the camera which captures all elements of shady areas, and highlights the model which brings out the muscle tone. Sometimes the photo is edited with a grey tone to give it a better effect when using light conditions.

Leading Lines

Practice, Techniques and Research

  

Michael Bamber

Leading Lines

Leading lines are lines within an image that leads the eye to another point in the image, or occasionally, out of the image. Anything with a definite line can be a leading line.

 

 Triangles

In portraits sometimes a symmetrical triangle is created using eyes with nose or mouth, which becomes very evident to viewers. In architecture and landscape photography implied triangles are used in creating aesthetically pleasing images.

 

Even and Odd

The Rule of Even and Odd is a way of composing a picture, where you use either even or odd numbers to make different effects. If you for example have three people in a picture, the attention goes to the one in the middle. If you have 6, the attention may be more scattered among all the people.

 

Rule of thirds

The Rule of Thirds is a way of composing a picture, where the different parts of the picture coincide with 9 imaginary squares/three imaginary lines. It makes the composition look tidy, and organized.

Rule of Space

The rule of space is another way of composing a picture. It can have big effects and can give the viewer something to think about. If you add space behind an item/a person in a picture, it might give the effect of movement. If you add space in front of an item/a person it might make it look like they are drifting away.