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
Lovely photos you have here :)
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
Beautiful photo's..
Voted 'awesome!'
thank you
i love your photos, voted up!
Wow, some lovely photographs!
Great photographs. Thank you for sharing your creativity.
Amazing one. As always your hubs are great. Voted up.
lovely perspective...
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
beautiful pictures! Great hub :)
awesome pics.
Awesome pictures! You love what you do, it shows!
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.
Awesome hub, keep up the good work!
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
I'm learning a great deal from your advice and ideas. Thanks for sharing :)
Beautiful Hub! Breathtaking photography!
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
...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!
beautiful photos :)
I love this. Your a great photographer. Very talented. Thanks for the reflections.
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..
nice photos you got there :)
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.
mantap gan
I really enjoyed reading this hub. Wonderful photography.
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.
Wonderful photography :)
Beautiful photos. I especially love the reflections of water.
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
wow, cool shots.
Beautiful photos! Lovely reflection!
I hope you're fine despite the typhoon. Take care! :)
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.
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
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.
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!
Very interesting and delightful!
Cool hub..
Great shots! I like best your photo with the caption, "Stillness of the early morning reflected on a pool." Amazing!
BRAVO JILL ;)
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!
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.
More great work Jill ! You are definitely an artist !
"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.
Love it! Very nice photo hub!
Really like teh reflections on the pool -as usual you have given us great artistic photography -thanks
Beautiful images! I am always refreshed by your Hubs and appreciate you sharing!
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