Highlighting Reflections in Photography

Sometimes reflections are unwanted in photography, but when you look specifically to include them in an image it's fun to see how they can enhance the overall effect.

This photograph of the forsythia outside the window was taken at two slightly different angles in order to see what the difference would be in the reflection and its contribution to the scene.In the first shot the reflection has little color in it and the main emphasis of the image is focused within the window frame. In the second photo the yellow forsythia is reflected strongly in the window pane along with the fir tree. This extends the colorful focus to inside the window frame, helping to make the view seem less distant and removed.



Superimposing two totally distinct images, one reflected, can create an almost surreal result.















And there are the more commonplace reflections which add more detail and interest to a picture.










The light reflecting off this small mountain lake lifts the entire scene giving it a bright and irresistible appeal.




Using the reflection of patterns can create a very interesting complexity.












Still water can be very useful for making images in which it becomes difficult to differentiate the reflected from the actual.


This lamp shot is fun. At first glance, the reflection looks to be somehow related to the light bulb.Catching these reflections of evening light bouncing off a modern glass building across the street from the Tower of London creates a fantastic result.