Reflections in Photography
Are you fascinated by reflections? I am. And if you are, come and join me here.
Reflections Catch Attention
Among the things (aside from patterns) that usually catch my attention when I am with my camera, are reflections. There is something about reflections that always make me take a second look. I’m not sure though what that something is. It’s probably the symmetry that is created. The moment a reflection is created, it naturally makes a symmetrical pattern and patterns and symmetry are always naturally attractive.
I was inside an elevator when I saw my reflection on the mirror forming its walls. I right away turned on my camera (it's good I had it with me) and started clicking away. I just love this never-ending reflection effect!
What is a Reflection?
There are different kinds of reflection. There is reflection of sound or heat. There is also reflection in Mathematics as well as in Anatomy. And there is reflection of thought as in meditation. However, the reflection that I will be dealing with here is the reflection created by light and the formation of an image. This mirror-like image is called specular reflection in Physics.
If the reflecting surface is flat like a mirror or a body of water or a polished surface, then the image created is an upright image that appears to be reversed from left to right. If the reflecting surface is spherical however, the image formed may sometimes appear upside down. A curved surface also forms an image that can either be magnified or demagnified. This is the reason why curved mirrors are used in car mirrors or in double sided mirrors.
There was a photo challenge in an online photo website. The theme for the challenge was "photo of yourself taking a photo". I submitted the above photo as my entry. Although I did not win any price, this photo still got a citation as "editor's choice". This is usually the first phase in the elimination process. Since hundreds of photos are submitted everyday to this website, I felt elated when my photo got through the first hurdle. That's honor enough for me already.
The Beauty of Reflections
After I uploaded the above photo to my computer, I was right away reminded of the quote from the French philosopher, Etienne de Grellet.
“I shall pass through this world but once. Any good
therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can
show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me
not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this
way again.”
- Etienne de Grellet
Mirror-image Effect in Photoshop
We can also create reflections using Photoshop or some other photo editing program. I tried my hand at this and below is what I came up with. Neat, isn’t it?
I did not realize it was that easy! If you are interested in learning how to do this, drop me a line and I’ll tell you how I did it.
Anyway, even if I can create mirror images with Photoshop, I still am attracted to natural mirror images or reflections and I keep watching out for them every time I go out with my camera.
Comments
Beautiful images! I am always refreshed by your Hubs and appreciate you sharing!
Really like teh reflections on the pool -as usual you have given us great artistic photography -thanks
Love it! Very nice photo hub!
"Stillness of the early morning" is an incredibly beautiful photograph. And I love that quote by Grellet. How great a thought that is. Thank you for sharing that quote, your exquisite photos, and your reflections on reflections. I enjoyed this immensely.
More great work Jill ! You are definitely an artist !
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Hi Catlyn,
Thank you very much for your inspiring comment!
Hello Coffeesnob,
Thank you for the visit my friend. You always make me happy with your comments.
Hi IslandVoice,
Thank you very much! I love your comment!
Hello James,
You always say such nice things. I appreciate your comment even more because you are an artist.
I love that quote from Grellet too.
Hi Tony,
Thank you very much! Coming from you, that's indeed a compliment!
Jill, reflections do interest me. I've been told that in film they symbolize deception. They also reference the fourth dimension as in Alice in "Through the Looking Glass." Wonderful photos with lots of sparkle.
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Hi Canopygallery,
Thank you for the visit and for leaving a wonderful comment.
Why do reflections symbolize deception? Is it because they are not the true thing? I find that very interesting. From now on I will watch out when they use reflections in films.
Oh, I forgot about "Through the Looking Glass". I like your reminder here. Thanks again!
I am mesmerized by reflections as well. In fact my avatar is a picture I took of a man-made pond, reflecting the sky and the trees overhead, I waited for the wind to ripple the water first. I found this hub to be very interesting. I couldn't help but smile at your comment of the photo you took in the elevator. Our bathroom mirror has the same effect!
I enjoyed reading this, your hub and beautiful pictures made me smile today. Thanks!
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Hi Ninna,
Thank you for dropping by and leaving this beautiful comment. Yes, reflections are really mesmerizing. You must be having fun everyday with your bathroom mirror!
I am happy if this hub made you smile. Thank you too!
BRAVO JILL ;)
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Thanks very much Doods!
Great shots! I like best your photo with the caption, "Stillness of the early morning reflected on a pool." Amazing!
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Hello jandas,
Thank you very much for your kind words. They made me smile and started my day right!
Cool hub..
Very interesting and delightful!
Jill of alltrades,
These are Beautiful reflections of what you see with your extended eye!
You have a wonderful gift.
Thank You for sharing!
Blessings!
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Hello nikki1,frogyfish, and DeBorrah,
Sorry, it took me a while to acknowledge your comments. We have been affected by the recent typhoon and flooding here in the Philippines and I have been busy cleaning up and throwing out so many damaged things.
Important thing is we're ok. Things can be replaced but lives can't be.
Anyway... thank you all for your beautiful and heartwarming comments. They are really music to my ears and help me forget about aching muscles.
God bless! I promise I'll be back hubbing soon.
I really enjoyed looking at the amazing pictures you took. You have quite a gift and I'm glad you're sharing it with us. Love the quote--reminds me of random acts of kindness and one life to shower them on others.
Great article. You can do even more than just a mirror image in photoshop. You make it seem like a reflection in the water or on a shiny surface. It can create great effects. Really loved your article and amazing pics
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Hi anglnwu,
Thank you very much! I'm happy that you enjoyed this hub and especially the quote. Yes, acts of kindness especially to those we don't know will always go a long way.
Hello sasuke,
Thank you very much for your inspiring words. They really made me smile and started my day on a bright note.
Yes, I also discovered a tutorial on how to make reflections on water and shiny surfaces. I'm going to try it one of these days. I still prefer the natural reflection though but learning photoshop techniques is fun.
So sorry that you were affected by the recent typhoon but glad to hear that you are OK. Your photos as always are stunning! Thanks for sharing them with the rest of us.
Beautiful photos! Lovely reflection!
I hope you're fine despite the typhoon. Take care! :)
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Hello Peggy,
Nice to see you again! Thank you very much for your concern. Yes, I'm ok, still have not finished cleaning up though.
Thanks for your kind words. They warm my heart!
Hi lancelonie,
Thank you very much for dropping by and leaving a beautiful comment!
Thanks too for your concern. God bless!
wow, cool shots.
These photographs are fantastic. Well done. :o) Keep up with the great work. Thank you so very much for sharing your wonderful and creative talents with us.
*S* Cynthia
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Hello nikki1,
Thanks very much!
Hello Cynthia_Jones,
Your words are music to my ears! I am happy that you like my work. Thank you very much for visiting and leaving these wonderful words!
Beautiful photos. I especially love the reflections of water.
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Hello Jessica,
Thank you very much for dropping by and leaving a wonderful comment.
Wonderful photography :)
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Thank you very much apricotmousse. You inspire me!:)
I,m anewbie with DSLR.
' Reflection on a car mirror ' I have one on my own but on squared mirror before I found you here. Facinating. Yours great. Luv them all.
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Hi Jaja,
We all start as newbies. I actually still think of myself as a newbie too. I guess it's because the learning never ends. We keep on learning something new all the time. If you are interested in more photography, please check out my other hubs as well as my photoblog. I include in my blog some lessons I have learned along the way in my photography adventure. The address of my blog is in my profile here.
Thanks very much for dropping by. Hope to see you again!
I really enjoyed reading this hub. Wonderful photography.
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Hi katrinasui - nice of you to drop by. Thank you very much.
Thank you too for the inspiring comment. Hope to see you again.
mantap gan
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Kuncen - thanks for visiting. Could you please translate what "mantap gan" means? I hope it's something good.
Like the photos. I live near the sea and I am always looking for interesting reflections. They can make good abstracts. I also take lots of photos of my reflection taking a photo. Will have to put them all together one day.
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Hello Steve - it's nice to welcome another reflection lover.
Yes, you should put your reflection photos together then write a hub about them.
I have not tried doing abstracts of reflections yet. Thanks for the idea.
Thank you for the visit and comment. And thank you for following.
nice photos you got there :)
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Hello lilly_dens - Thank you very much for dropping by and for your positive comment. See you around.
Awesome pictures.. I too like the image you can get in a reflection.. I like to make up stories with my kids about the people in the reflections.. Mirror reflections make me think of possibilities.. The infinite possibilities for each of those reflections..
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Hello stephensaldana - Thank you very much! Your words make me happy.
Hey, that's a nice one - making up stories with your kids about people in reflections. I'm sure you have created several fun ones.
Thanks again for the visit and wonderful comment.
See you around!
I love this. Your a great photographer. Very talented. Thanks for the reflections.
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Hello Healing Touch,
Nice to see you!
Thank you very much! You are very kind. I am just a hobbyist and not a pro photographer. Still your words make my heart sing!
You are most welcome. My pleasure really!
God bless!
beautiful photos :)
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Hello JaayJaay,
Thank you very much! I'm happy you liked them!
All the best!
...I saw your name at my buddy's hub - Doug Dunigan - you both have something in common - you're world class photographers - in fact the world for you is just a canvas waiting for your lense and beautiful eye!
Those pictures are happy to come from your camera. Bravo!
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Hello epigramman,
What a wonderful thing to read first thing in the morning. Your beautiful comment just started my day with a smile! Thank you very much!
Thank you very much for following me from Doug's hub. I really appreciate it!
Hope to see you around!
God bless!
Reflections fascinate me as well. I find my favorite time of day is about 1700h during the summer as water reflections are often at their peak during this time.
Debbie at www.france-travel-info.com
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Hello Debbie,
That's great! I'm happy to meet another reflection lover.
Thank you for dropping by and leaving a lovely comment!
God bless!
Beautiful Hub! Breathtaking photography!
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Hello kids-toy-box,
Thank you very much for your nice words. You make me happy!
God bless!
I'm learning a great deal from your advice and ideas. Thanks for sharing :)
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Hi Becky,
It's nice to see you again!
I'm happy if you learn something from my hubs.
You are most welcome! The pleasure is really mine!
God bless!
Wonderful reflections which I also enjoy photographing. Thanks for sharing yours.
I also love the Grellet quote which I have also used in a Hub or two!
Love and peace
Tony
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Hi Tonymac,
Thanks very much for your visit and wonderful comment!
We share love of many things. We are kindred spirits.
God bless!
Awesome hub, keep up the good work!
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Hi Eric,
Thank you very much for dropping by and leaving a heartwarming comment.
God bless!
The reflecting effects of any body of water adds so much. There is a bayou close to my house. I love to see the sunset reflected in it. Very nice hub.
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Hi Mary,
Thanks very much for your visit and wonderful comment.
Yes, that's so true - a sunset reflected on a body of water makes a very nice picture.
Thanks again!
God bless!
Awesome pictures! You love what you do, it shows!
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Hi Fossillady,
It's nice to see you.
Thanks very much! Yes, I do love photography and I'm glad it shows. Guilty as charged! Hahaha!
Thanks for dropping by.
God bless!
awesome pics.
beautiful pictures! Great hub :)
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Hello TPSicotte,
Thank you very much for your visit and comment!
God bless!
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Hello Tara,
Thanks very much! I'm happy you enjoyed your visit here.
God bless!
I absolutely HAD to use some of these great photos for my hub contest. Thank you so much for sharing and I hope it brings you some hits and followers because you deserve it!
Lela
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Hi Lela,
That's ok. As long as you link back, it will be good for both our hubs.
I am happy and honored that you found my photos good enough to share in your hub.
You are really doing a great and fun activity.
God bless!
lovely perspective...
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Hello Matthew,
Thanks very much!
God bless!
Amazing one. As always your hubs are great. Voted up.
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Hello Vishaaa,
Nice to see you!
Thank you very much for your wonderful comment and vote up!
God bless!
Great photographs. Thank you for sharing your creativity.
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Hello dukeny21,
Thank you very much for your heartwarming comment.
God bless!
Wow, some lovely photographs!
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Hello Curiad,
Thank you very much for your beautiful words!
God bless!
i love your photos, voted up!
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Hi Liane,
Thank you very much! Thanks too for the vote up.
God bless!
Beautiful photo's..
Voted 'awesome!'
thank you
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Hello Light.of.sitmoia2,
Thank you so much for your beautiful comment and 'awesome' vote!
You are most welcome! It's my pleasure really!
God bless!
As always a visit to one of your hubs is a real tonic and a lovely way to start any day.
I loved these photographs they are all outstanding and so it is hard to choose a favourite out of them but but the image of a reflection in a polished floor has that something special that makes it stand out from the crowd.
I have voted this hub up and hit the interesting, useful and beautiful tabs too. An excellent hub and a joy to see and read, loved the quote too :D
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Hello Maggs,
It's great to see you!
So sorry for the late reply. I was out of the country and just got back 2 days ago.
Your beautiful words give me a warm, happy feeling! Thank you very much! I'm really happy that you enjoyed this hub!
Thanks most especially for hitting all the tabs! What joy!:):):)
God bless!
Lovely photos you have here :)
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Hello livingsta,
I'm happy that you think so! Thank you very much!!!
God bless!
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