Capturing lake reflections in photography
Last Updated on 06/04/2025
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Capturing lake reflections in photography is a way to manifest the harmony and the grace that nature has when it combines more than one of its elements.
Reflections in photography belong to these amazing moments when the subject of a photo is mirrored on a surface and its idle is captured by a camera. They add a surrealistic beauty to our photos and increase their interest whether they are colorful or black and white. There are many things to consider about composition with reflections and in most of them, our eye decides subconsciously.
Capturing lake reflections in photography
Water element
Water element covers a huge chapter of reflection in nature photography. But, it’s not enough to be near water. As Lao Tzu said, “no one can reflect on streaming water”.
And, for clear and vibrant water reflections the weather plays a major role. It is essential to choose days and hours without wind to capture natural mirrored effects. Also, clouds on our canvas add more depth and more points of interest to the reflected scenery. Except for water, there are many other surfaces to consider, like mirrors, windows, glass, the chrome of automobiles, etc.
Symmetry
It almost happens automatically. When the reflections of scenery happen on the still waters of a lake, river, or sea, we tend to divide the composition in the middle. Half of the photo is for the scene and the other half is for its reflection. As Francis Bacon wrote, “there is no excellent beauty that has not some strangeness in the proportion“.
In symmetrical reflections, this happens to capture the subject and its idle as a whole without cutting the edges.
Clarity And Vibrancy
All the reflections tend to be more blurred and less colored by their nature. In some compositions, these characteristics fit harmonically and serve the purpose of the photo. But, landscape photography usually needs to be enhanced. Post-processing and image and increasing contrast and saturation may give more vivid scenery as long as it is self-limited in natural hues.
I hope you found this short trip to the mirrored lake surfaces beautiful and dreamy. Days like these, cloudy, yet sunny and without wind or breeze, transform our steps on the pontoon bridge into an aethereal cloud walking. Nature’s scenery is just magnificent.
This page contains AFFILIATE LINKS. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Plus, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Read more on the disclosure policy page.
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