Glass and Reflections

A fun way to make your photos more interesting is to play with glass, reflections, and refractive objects.  When you use these in photos, it can add more meaning, depth, and interesting lighting. One way to add depth and meaning is to have your subject be shot through a window or glass.  This can add a certain mood or tone to your image. It is important to be aware, however, of what you are capturing in the reflection. Make sure everything you are capturing is intentional, including yourself.  You can also use a small mirror in your image to reflect select parts. Another interesting lighting effect you can do is to use a piece of glass, a prism, or crystal object to change and add lighting effects to your image.

Through this photo, we can see the power of the mirror.  The reflection of the subject, combined with the setting on the lake and his pondering expression, adds a sense of deep thought and contemplation. 

This photo is a combined example of both shooting through glass and using a mirror.  In this case, we can see how the reflection is used to set the tone of the image and create meaning.  Without the reflection, we wouldn’t know who the subject is looking at. By adding in the reflection of the second subject, the viewer now has a more comprehensive understanding of the situation taking place in the photograph. 

Lastly, in this photo, the crystal is used in the bottom corner to create a burst of light.  This use of the crystal light adds depth and textured naturalistic element that carries through into the leaves, his shirt, and eye color.  This light beam almost draws even more attention to the subject’s eyes, through the long rays and bright attributes.

Light and reflections can be very fun and interesting elements to add to your photography.  Although, it is important to be aware of how much you are using them. Think of them as your secret weapon.  Only pull this trick out of the hat when you really think it is necessary, otherwise, you might end up overdoing it.

Sources:

Using Glass Reflections in Your Pictures

https://www.getfractals.com/ultimate-guide-to-prism-photography