Reflective photos provide a sense of optical illusion making for a Photo that is absolutely stunning. However, these images are a little tricky to capture. You must find the right subject matter, the perfect scenery, and most of all, you must keep yourself out of the photo!

If you are thinking that reflective photography is right for you, here are some tips that will help you get the look you’re after.

Find a Reflective Surfaces

Reflective surfaces are out there, you just have to develop an eye for finding them. They include bodies of water, mirrors…even sunglasses.

Find a Subject

Next you must find a subject. Almost anything can work. Buildings are ideal because they are stable so you know exactly what you’re getting as far as the setting and the reflection, but humans, animals and landscape can also work.

Get the Right Proportions

The reflection is just as much a part of your photo as the subject. Therefore, you will want to compose your photo to show both equally. A 50/50 ratio is ideal, but you can use your eye to assess the right dynamic.

Eliminate Distractions

Your photo will look best if you show only the subject and the reflection and eliminate anything else that appears in the frame. This may take some clever angling, but you will be able to achieve your goal.

Getting close to the surface of the water will help you get the minimal look you are going for. Experts claim that the photo will come out best if you are an inch or less from the water. This will help you capture the reflection and subject and not much else.

Make Waves

Don’t worry if the wind starts blowing. Waves in the water will make your shot look more interesting. If there are no waves in the water, add some by putting your hand in the water and shaking it around.

Go for Distorted Surfaces

A distorted reflection can also look cool. Think of uneven surfaces and funhouse mirrors that will give your images a unique characteristic.

Look for Symmetry

Symmetry always looks pleasing to the eye. You can take your photos to emphasize symmetry by centering them so the reflection takes up half the photo while the subject takes up the other half. If you find a geometric subject, such as a building, it will enhance the look even further.

Use Long Exposure

When you take a reflective photo, there is movement in the water, but your subject may not be moving. The best way to get the best of both worlds is to use a tripod and an app called Slow Shutter Cam which should be set to the Motion Blur setting. You can experiment with other settings from there.

The long exposure photography will help you get a blurry and dreamy effect.

Take Many Photos

The movement of the water will make your photos unpredictable. Therefore, you should take several photos in quick succession. That way, you will be likely to catch the perfect moment. For best results, consider using burst mode. This can be achieved by either pressing the shutter button or holding it down.

Reflective photos have a unique look that makes them stand out and gives them a level of meaning. The tips in this article will help you get reflective photos that will make people look twice. What do you do to capture this unique effect in the best way possible?

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