Reflection photography is a captivating way to add symmetry, abstraction, and depth to your images. Whether you’re capturing city lights dancing on wet streets or a portrait mirrored in glass, reflections can turn ordinary scenes into extraordinary compositions.
In this guide for beginners, you’ll learn how to find, control, and creatively use reflections to elevate your photography—without needing expensive gear.
Why Reflections Matter in Photography
Reflections are everywhere, and they offer a powerful way to:
- Create symmetry and balance
- Add mood or drama
- Introduce abstract or surreal elements
- Tell layered stories in one frame
They allow your viewer to see multiple perspectives at once, sometimes even blending reality and illusion into a single image.
Best of all? You can practice reflection photography anywhere, from puddles and windows to mirrors in your house.
Where to Find Reflections
The first step is learning to see reflections around you. Once you begin looking, you’ll find opportunities everywhere.
Natural Reflection Sources:
- Still water (ponds, lakes, puddles)
- Wet sand or rocks
- Ice or shiny stone
Urban Reflection Sources:
- Storefront or car windows
- Glass buildings
- Chrome surfaces or vehicles
- Polished floors or countertops
- Mirrors (handheld, wall-mounted, broken)
Creative At-Home Ideas:
- A bowl of water
- A mirror on the floor or table
- A phone screen or tablet turned off
- Aluminum foil or CDs
Best Conditions for Reflection Photography
Reflection photography depends heavily on light and angle. Here’s what to look for:
1. Still Water
Calm days (no wind) or indoor setups provide the best mirrored surfaces.
2. Golden Hour or Blue Hour
The warm, soft light of sunrise/sunset or the cool tones just after sunset enhance contrast and drama.
3. Rainy Days
Wet pavement and puddles are a gift to photographers. Bring a towel and embrace the weather.
4. Low Angles
Shooting from eye-level with the reflective surface enhances the mirror effect. You may need to kneel or lay your camera low.
Camera Settings for Reflective Shots
You don’t need professional equipment—but some settings will help you capture reflections more effectively.
Recommended Settings:
- Mode: Aperture Priority (A/Av) or Manual
- Aperture: f/5.6 to f/11 for sharp reflections and wide depth of field
- ISO: Keep as low as possible (ISO 100–400) to reduce noise
- Shutter Speed: Adjust based on available light; use a tripod if shooting in low light
- Focus: Use single-point focus—often you’ll want to focus on the reflection itself
Optional Gear:
- Tripod: For water scenes and longer exposures
- Polarizing Filter: Helps control glare and reflections—or remove them entirely if needed
- Remote Shutter or Timer: To avoid camera shake when shooting low angles
Tips for Composing Reflection Photos
1. Use Symmetry Intentionally
Place the reflective surface horizontally across the center of the frame to create mirror-like symmetry. This is great for landscapes, architecture, or abstract scenes.
2. Break the Reflection
Introduce an element (like a ripple, a footstep, or a leaf) to disrupt the reflection. It creates tension and adds interest.
3. Include the Real and the Reflected
Show both the object and its mirror. For example, include a skyline above a lake and its mirror below.
4. Get Close
Move in close to the reflective surface—especially when working with puddles or mirrors—to make the reflection more prominent.
5. Invert the Image
Try flipping the final image upside down in post-processing. This disorients the viewer in a creative way and makes them look twice.
Reflection Photography Ideas to Try
1. Puddle Reflections
After a rainstorm, head outside. Look for puddles reflecting trees, buildings, or streetlights. Get low for a dramatic perspective.
2. Portrait in a Mirror
Instead of the traditional selfie, use a handheld mirror to frame a face from the side or from behind the camera.
3. Nature in Water
Find a still pond or lake early in the morning and photograph the mountains, sky, or trees mirrored on the surface.
4. Reflections in Sunglasses
Have a subject wear reflective sunglasses and compose a shot that shows both the face and the scene in the lens.
5. Phone Screen Reflections
Place your subject in front of a turned-off phone or tablet for a modern, sleek mirrored look.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting to clean the surface: Smudges on mirrors or windows will ruin clarity.
- Overexposing the reflection: Reflections can easily blow out in bright light—adjust your exposure carefully.
- Focusing in the wrong place: Make sure you’re focusing either on the reflection itself or at a balanced distance between real and mirrored.
- Not checking your own reflection: When shooting reflective surfaces, you might accidentally capture yourself or your gear—use angle and positioning to avoid this.
Editing Tips for Reflection Photography
Once you’ve captured your image, post-processing can bring it to life:
- Adjust contrast to make the reflection pop
- Clone out distractions in water or windows
- Use crop and rotation to fine-tune symmetry
- Enhance colors and clarity selectively in the reflection
- Experiment with black and white to emphasize shape and pattern
Don’t be afraid to play—reflections are naturally surreal, and post-processing can enhance that dreamlike effect.
Final Thoughts: Learn to See What Others Don’t
Reflection photography challenges you to see beyond the obvious. It pushes you to slow down, observe, and reimagine the world around you. Even the most mundane locations—like a parking lot after rain—can become magical with the right perspective.
As a beginner, this genre trains your eye, sharpens your composition skills, and rewards your curiosity. Best of all, it’s creative, accessible, and incredibly fun.
So grab your camera, find a puddle, a pane of glass, or a mirror—and start seeing the world from a whole new angle.