Can you capture a full reflection in a small puddle without editing?
Asked 9/23/2019
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Is it possible to photograph a person or subject with a near-complete mirror reflection in a small puddle entirely in-camera, without post-processing? If so, what shooting angle and technique help make the reflection look full and natural?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
6y ago
2 Answers
4
Yes, it is possible.
The key to getting the reflection to mirror all of the subject at the same size is to shoot at as low an angle to the surface of the water or other flat, reflective surface, as possible.
The higher the camera is above the reflective surface and the larger the angle between the lens' optical axis and the reflective surface, the greater the difference will be between the size of the subject and the size of the subject's reflection, due to the different optical distance from the subject to the camera when compared to the optical distance from the subject to the reflective surface to the camera.
I'd guess that the example image to which you linked was taken with the lens just a few centimeters above the surface of the water. Even so, the reflection of the leg perpendicular to the water is about 3% shorter than the leg itself is above the water.
Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15871
6y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes — this can be done in-camera.
The most important factor is camera position: place the lens very close to the puddle and shoot at a very low angle to the water surface. The lower the camera is, the more complete and similar in size the reflection will appear. If the camera is higher above the puddle, the reflection will look more distorted or reduced because the reflected light travels a different distance than the direct view of the subject.
A calm, flat surface also matters. Still water gives the cleanest mirror effect. A longer shutter speed can help smooth the water if nothing in the scene is moving, but it’s not required for the reflection itself.
So yes: with a flat puddle, still conditions, and a lens only a few centimeters above the surface, a strong full reflection is absolutely possible without editing.
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