Reflections have a way of making the familiar feel unfamiliar.
A mountain you’ve seen a hundred times suddenly looks different when it’s mirrored perfectly in a lake. A bustling street transforms into a quiet, abstract composition when a puddle catches the neon lights.
For me, reflections are one of the most rewarding – and addictive – elements of photography.
They turn everyday scenes into painterly moments, add symmetry that soothes the eye, and often surprise me with details I didn’t notice at first.
From the glassy stillness of Lake Brienz in Switzerland to the rain-slicked streets of London, I’ve learned that reflections are everywhere – if you train your eyes to see them. Here’s how I approach capturing them, whether I’m in the wild or in the heart of a city.
Seek Out Still Water for Perfect Mirror Images
The holy grail of reflection photography is a flawless mirror image – where the subject above and below the waterline is equally sharp and clear.
The secret? Calm conditions. Early mornings are often the best, before the wind picks up and disturbs the water’s surface.
One October morning in Canada’s Jasper National Park, I arrived at Pyramid Lake before sunrise. The air was so still that the mountains and autumn foliage reflected perfectly in the water – so perfect it felt like I was looking at a painting. Those few minutes before the breeze arrived were pure magic.
Pro tip: Harbors, canals, and sheltered coves often give you still water even when the wind is stronger elsewhere.
Embrace Imperfect Reflections
While a perfect mirror is stunning, ripples and distortions can create equally compelling images. A reflection on a wavy lake surface can transform buildings into impressionist brushstrokes, or turn a tree line into an abstract watercolor.
In Venice, I once photographed gondolas reflected in the canal during a breezy afternoon. The distorted shapes and shifting colors looked like oil paintings – nothing sharp, but full of movement and life.
Use Puddles for Unexpected Perspectives
Some of my favorite reflection shots weren’t taken at lakes or rivers, but in shallow puddles after a rainstorm.
In Berlin, I crouched low next to a tiny puddle in Alexanderplatz and caught the Fernsehturm (TV tower) perfectly reflected, framed by a circle of cobblestones. Without the puddle, the shot would have been just another skyline image – but that mirrored perspective made it unforgettable.
Don’t be afraid to get low, even lying on the ground if you need to. Your camera (and maybe your jeans) will forgive you.
