As part of this month’s theme of ‘reflection photography’, Fotospeed ambassador Chris Palmer talks us through some of his images and how he captures them.

What is reflection photography?

Reflection photography is an image that has been reflected into a surface. The beauty of reflection photography is that it doesn’t fit into one genre. Nature mirrored in a lake or river is landscape reflection photography. As Adobe says "an image of a city captured on the shiny surface of a skyscraper is a reflection shot, as is that same city skyline captured in a puddle on a footpath.’’

 

VICTORIA CROSS Nikon D200

 

Where can you capture reflection photography?

There are many opportunities to capture reflections, but it takes a certain persistence and determination to seek out a meaningful image, and a satisfying result. If you take the time to look, there are reflective surfaces everywhere. Good opportunities exist in city centres within architecture, in windows, polished surfaces, shiny cars or other vehicles. Wherever there is water can also be exploited. A normally drab side street can be transformed after a shower of rain, generating reflections in puddles, and enhancing textures.

OLD IN NEW Nikon D700

 

What makes a good reflection photograph?

NEW STREET REFLECTION Nikon D7000

It's generally preferable to avoid your own reflection, so standing out of sight, and/or by using a longer lens can create a simpler and more effective shot. The quality of light, and its direction, also needs to be considered. Perhaps you'll have to return when the conditions are better?

 

What makes a good print for reflection photography?

When printing reflection pictures I invariably use a paper with a similar reflective surface, finding matt papers inappropriate. Hence either Fotospeed PF Lustre, Photo Smooth Pearl, or Platinum Glossy Fine Art is the normal choice for me. I rarely use a fully glossy surface.  Also available are metallic surface papers -- Fotospeed Metallic Gloss or  Lustre 275 and Pearl 295.

 

 

GIJON LIGHTS Nikon D200

BIRMINGHAM BUS Fuji XT3

 

Chris Palmer is a Fotospeed ambassador and photographer, as well as a PAGB judge and photography lecturer. You can find more about Chris and view more of his work on his website.

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