19. Reflecting on reflections
[Update: If you’d like to just see my reflection images and ignore my writing you can do that here: joshuaw.com/reflections]
Before 2022 I had taken less than 10 ‘reflection’ photos (not counting a few dozen obligatory self-portraits).
Then in late 2022 during a discussion about car photography, Brian Lloyd Duckett showed me Nick Turpin’s Autos series and I was wowed!
If you have not seen these pictures do yourself a favor and check them out.
Shortly after this, I started looking for reflections on my photo walks. At first, I had to look really hard for any reflections and my initial results were: 100% mediocre.
After these attempts, I quickly developed even more of an admiration for Nick’s work and started to notice others like
and his New York Photo City posts (also check his Instagram).I then began to practice. I learned to slow down and look for reflections. I learned which side of the street was going to be best (based on the location of the sun). I experimented with under-exposing and over-exposing (each increased or decreased the amount of reflection… but I’m still not sure which is which). And I began to learn how to avoid getting myself in every shot. I tried black & white and I tried color. I also watched YouTube videos. Here are four good ones to check out: 1 2 3 4.
Now, after a year I am starting to get some results I like. But even more importantly I feel like I am beginning to develop a style—actually a few different styles—and my eye is much quicker to spot potentially good reflections.
Here is some of what I am seeing:
Reflection Puzzles
I am particularly happy with this direction because I’ve always loved the photorealist painters—especially Richard Estes—and all the playing they do with reflections.
Architectural Abstracts
West Surface Reflections
These were a rainy day at Burlingame Point. Look carefully and you can spot the buildings from that series.
Influences
I’m not surprised by some of the images I am gravitating towards based on the art I love. Check out Richard Estes' Telephone Booth (below) which I had hanging in my New York apartment for many years and compare the lines and the reflections to one of my Burlingame Point Images (below also).
Now, I don’t have all of Este’s rich detail in my photos… but in reality neither did he:
“While Estes' paintings appear to be direct, painted copies of photographs, he actually combined multiple photos, often quite loosely, figuring out his compositions in underpaintings he produced using acrylic paint. He would sometimes move elements as he began working to strengthen his compositions and more closely control visual effect. As a consequence of Estes taking these artistic liberties, when viewers have tried to match his paintings with actual sites in New York City or elsewhere, they often discover surprising inconsistencies.”
Final Reflections
Well, actually: ‘Final Thoughts’ because I intend to keep working on these reflections.
Learning reflections has been exhilarating and humbling. Humbling because there is such amazing work out there to inspire me and to strive for. Exhilarating because it’s nice to feel like I can find a new area or new technique and make an attempt at it and over time develop my skills.
If you have tried photographing reflections I’d love to hear about your experience. If you haven’t tried shooting reflections I encourage you to grab your camera and get out there to see what you can see. And if you’d like to learn reflections or anything else about photography, please see my learning page and reach out to me.
Warmly,
josh
Some nice images there - and enjoyed reading your observations. Ernst Haas is great for reflections and city details, always loved his work. It reminds me to try harder (and maybe slow down) to get better reflection shots - I think we are all pretty fed up with ‘puddle’ shots on IG!
Complex reflections can be so interesting. I love that you share your inspiration, motivation and experience diving into this special topic! You have some really great results here. I think slowing yourself down and observe what’s in front is crucial here. But it is obvious you took that to heart!