David Durbak Academia Erudition: October 2017

Assignment 05 - Capturing Reflections

Seeking reflections to photograph is always an opportunity to observe the world in a new way, whether capturing beautiful landscapes or tiny, detailed macro images. Here are a few basics that will help you achieve better results when dealing with reflections.

1.) Depth of field - Try to select a larger aperture, such as f/8 or wider, as this will broaden the range of focus so that the eye perceives the subjects of your composition in closer relation to the environment which helps to enhance the effect of the reflection.

2.) Shift your focus within the same image - First, create an image of the scene by focusing on the subject, then create a second image of the same scene by focusing on the reflection. This allows you to have two different perspectives and slightly different stories of the same scene by shifting your focus.

3.) Look at the angle of the light upon the subject and how it affects the reflection. In a natural outdoor setting, move around and explore different viewpoints to find the angle at which the reflection is most visible.

4.) Look for reflections that you might have missed as you pass by your everyday scenes; reflections in windows, in puddles, in mirrors, etc., and see how they allow you a different outlook on your daily walk or drive.

5.) Use an entire roll of film for this project. This is a excellent assignment to use your camera's built-in Aperture Priority or Aperture Value mode and experiment with the various apertures on your lens. This is also a good project to use the LUMU app on your smartphone to check exposure and aperture control.