Sep 25 2020 | By: Tracy Allard
When you incorporate reflections into your photography, you're doubling the impact of your subject, literally. I love creating reflections both in the my studio in historic old town Carrollton or using what's available to me on location in and about the Dallas - Fort Worth metroplex while photographing pets, horses and families. It's week 39 in the Pet Photography 52 Week Project and the theme is reflections so here's a sampling of using reflections in pet photography.
Putting a mirror on the floor will give you a very clear "mirror image" of your subject. I like to use props such as the ball, to introduce some additional visual interest and give the subject a reason to be looking down so as to get their face reflected in the image.
For a softer, more blurred reflection, I also use a large sheet of Plexiglass under the subject to suggest the hint of a reflection versus the perfect duplication you get with a mirror.
I recently started playing with black plexiglass which provides a super shiny and crisp reflection.
Puddles provide great reflections and add the interest of mirroring the sky on the ground.
A beautiful young woman in a gorgeous dress with a handsome horse and a stunning sunset - yes I'd like to double the impact of that combination by posing them next to a small pond.
I was visiting a friend and we were hiking with our dogs (and my camera) when Deli stopped to play with a ball in the creek bed. I immediately noticed the reflection and was able to grab a few frames before she moved on to more exciting things.
Tracy Allard of Penny Whistle Photography is a Certified Professional Photographer with the organization Professional Photographers of America; a designation held by fewer than 2,500 photographers nationwide and a hallmark of consistency, technical skill, artistry and professionalism. Tracy's work has been awarded in both national and international photographic competitions.
Penny Whistle specializes in both on-location and studio photography providing pet, equine, family, couples & engagement and high school senior portraits as well as corporate headshots and commercial photography services in her studio located in historic downtown Carrollton as well as on location in Coppell, Grapevine, Southlake, Flower Mound and surrounding communities in Dallas – Fort Worth, Texas.