Reflections of Death Hollow

Reflections in Death Hollow

 Today I'll use a recent photoshoot in Death Hollow to discuss photographing reflections in landscape photography.  Reflections are a great aspect to landscape photography that come into play whenever water is nearby.  These reflections have to be accounted for when that body of water is especially still, such as an undisturbed lake or pond.  First things first . . .

Q:  Do you want a reflection?

A:  No.  Use the polarizer and you will see less reflection and see more what is under the water surface.  

A:  Yes.  In this case, do not use a polarizing filter because it specially cuts down on reflection.  If the reflected image is especially interest or adds a desired symmetrical element, I want to include that.  Keep reading for other tips.

Next you need to compose your photo to include the right amount of reflection.  Getting lower to the water surface can actually make your reflected surface smaller.  A higher position lets the camera look down on a larger and flatter "mirror".  This is the same principle used when you stand in front of your bathroom mirror.  

If you shoot downward, you may exclude the sky and only show the reflection of the sky.  This is a great technique to use.  It's creating a picture within a picture.  The sky hides within the watery reflection.  

If you shoot level, you get a symmetrical look to your photo.  The sky appears in two places:  up and down.  It's a double image.  That's whaat I did today.  Everything here appears to have a double.  Because of the canyon walls dropping in towards the center, this photo has many leading lines erupting from the center where a lovely tree stands.  

Remember that a water reflection is naturally 1+ stop darker than the original.  In post processing, you should not make the reflected sky as bright as the sky.  It's unnatural and will look fake.