Four points of specular reflection shooting skills

Lead: Mirror image is an interesting visual element in photos. Whether it is landscape, portrait, street shooting or sketch creation, it can enrich the momentum and pattern of the image, or arouse the imagination and imagination of the viewer. Besides keen observation, what are the shooting points of mirror shooting/reflection? The editorial department has compiled the following suggestions for readers' reference.

Four main points of specular reflection shooting skills: mastering shooting angle

Every rainy evening, we can see a group of photographers "gathering" at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. The reason why we use such a tiring shooting posture is because the reflection is closely related to the shooting angle. As long as the angle between the camera and the water surface is corrected, the reflection in the picture can be changed. Take Bao 'an Palace as an example. The closer the lens is to the water, the more complete the reflection of the security palace is. Simply put, the number of reflections in the picture is inversely proportional to the height of the viewpoint. In addition, the number of reflective surfaces will also have an impact. For example, because the coverage area of stagnant water is limited, it is even more necessary to actively find a suitable shooting angle to present an ideal picture.

In landscape photography, the reflection of water is a frequently used element. In addition to water accumulation after rain, there are lakes, rivers, ports and ponds. Reflection can be seen everywhere. Does it mean that no matter what kind of water reflection is taken, the camera must be close to the water surface? Actually not, because we have to consider the distance between the reflection and the photographer. The farther the distance is, the reflection and the real scene are almost in the same proportion, and the height of the viewpoint will not have much influence. For example, when shooting the Lanyang Museum, you don't need to use a very low angle, just include the reflection and the real scene in the mirror. Distance is also related to the choice of lens focal length. For example, in Cuihu and Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, a super wide-angle lens must be used to completely incorporate the reflection of the1kloc-0/building and the lake.

▲ The angle between the camera and the water surface will affect the reflection in the picture.

Jumping system framework

When shooting the subject of reflection, mirror symmetry is often adopted, which divides the picture into two parts, presenting a neat and orderly aesthetic feeling and strengthening the momentum of the image. Sometimes you can jump out of this box and try to change the ratio of the real scene to the reflection in the picture, and maybe there will be unexpected gains. As for how to allocate the proportion, it depends on the focus of the image, and the position of the focus is the same. If you have special needs, it is not bad to focus on reflection. In addition, you can turn the photos upside down, which is the fun of dealing with such subjects. This is usually due to several considerations. For example, because of the material of the reflecting surface, reflection is more interesting visually than the real scene. Or because the artistic conception is abstract, the reflection is naturally more appropriate than the real scene. Another possibility is that the reflection retains more details than the real scene, because the reflection will be underexposed and the highlights on the screen will not be overexposed easily, so the photo will be reversed, which will enrich the details of the subject.

▲ The reflection is usually underexposed, but it is easy to keep the highlights.

A story-telling demonstration

There are many media that can form a reflection, such as car body, windows, glass curtains, water droplets, smooth walls and floors, and even the pupils of eyes. As long as you pay more attention, you can find interesting reflections and even shoot stories. Sometimes the real scene doesn't have to be stored in the photo with the reflection, and the reflection can be used as a foil to echo other themes. For example, when shooting the moment when the bride throws a fan in the wedding record, you can pay a little attention to the family figure reflected in the window and bring it into the picture to convey the current emotional atmosphere.

When the reflection is more interesting and meaningful than the real scene, focus on capturing the reflection picture. Sometimes it is found that the seemingly inconspicuous subject is particularly eye-catching in the form of reflection, which may be because the subject becomes a silhouette in the reflection, and its outline shape is more attractive, or it may be because the reflecting surface filters out the original messy background and makes the viewer's vision more focused. In addition, sometimes only intermittent local reflections are present? Like the water on the ground? You can't see the complete face of the real scene, but you can add a lot of imagination and fun. The water surface is usually a very interesting theme, which can easily present a fantastic virtual world and show different visual effects in different lighting environments.

▲' Intermittent reflection' formed by accumulated water on the road surface uses a large aperture to form a scattering view of reflected light points on the water surface, showing a dreamy and hazy effect.

▲ At first glance, the focus will be on the bride's preparation for throwing a fan, and then you can find the author's ingenuity and bring the family into the picture with the reflection of the window.

Similar to the effect of re-exposure

Have you noticed that the image reflected on the glass, combined with the real scene in the rear, has become an image effect similar to re-exposure? It's exciting to play reexposure without post-production and returning to silver salt tablets. A natural painting stays quietly in a corner, waiting for someone to find it, observe it and then take it away. What you need to pay attention to when shooting is to avoid entering the mirror, usually hiding in a column or glass frame, or even changing the position of the viewing angle, so that your reflection will not be projected on the glass. Let your reflection blend into the dark neighborhood, and don't make yourself too conspicuous.

In addition, this effect similar to re-exposure is often used in portrait creation. For example, in a coffee shop or specialty store, capture the charm of the protagonist from the outside through the window. At this time, the reflection or reflection of glass can often add a unique artistic atmosphere. If you have a chance, you might as well give it a try.

▲ In portrait creation, shooting through the glass window is a common way to express artistic conception.