Mastering the Mirror: Harnessing Reflections in Urban Photography

Photography Tips  •  Smartphone Photography  •  Street Photography

In the captivating world of photography, one may often find themselves lost in the sea of techniques and styles. However, one style of photography that stands out is “fishing” – patiently waiting for the perfect subject to wander into your predetermined frame. Clifford Pickett from Urban iPhone Photography takes us on an enlightening journey through the use of this technique, combining it with the concept of sub-framing.

Pickett’s masterclass takes place in front of an antique shop – a rich canvas of objects, textures, and characters. Among the myriad of fascinating items, one catches his eye: a mirror. What to some might be just another object, to Pickett, represents an opportunity for a unique perspective:

The mirror is made the focal point of his frame, which he achieves by switching to his 2x, then 3x telephoto lens, making the mirror more prominent. The decision to frame with a mirror is ingenious – a foreground element reflecting two directions. We, as the observers, look in one direction, yet capture another. Pickett successfully demonstrates how simple objects around us can drastically transform our perspective.

Off-Center and Monochrome

Composition is another critical aspect Pickett emphasizes. He intentionally places the mirror off-center to give the final photo more energy. The picture is then switched to black-and-white, giving the scene an elegant, timeless feel and drawing more focus to the subject without the distraction of color. This indicates that color, although often pivotal, can sometimes obscure rather than enhance the essence of an image.

Framing with Layers

By slightly shifting his stance, Pickett highlights the importance of paying close attention to the background. Moving to the right, he introduces more layers into the shot, making it more visually compelling.

Mixing Angles and Perspectives

Pickett’s approach to ‘fishing’ doesn’t end here. He takes it a step further by switching to a wide-angle shot, experimenting with a different perspective. Getting closer to the mirror with a wide angle allows him to fill more of the frame with the mirror and gives a broader field of view to capture more of the subject, while also offering more context to the location.

Patience and Timing

With these techniques in place, all that’s left is patience. The right moment arrives, and the shot is taken – an example of ‘fishing’ at its finest.

Reflective Surfaces and Sub-Frames

Reflective surfaces, Pickett explains, work excellently in this kind of photography because of their duality. Using the mirror as a sub-frame adds an extra dimension to the shot. In the right position, with the perfect composition, and, of course, a dash of patience for the right timing, the result is a truly captivating photo.

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