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B+WGRASMERE, LAKE DISTRICT
Reflections can make interesting images in their own right,
and when the water’s surface is ruffled they take on an
abstract appearance.
Diana toy camera with Ilford XP2 Super film, 1/60sec at f/8Reflections can also make successful photographs in their
own right, so as well as shooting on a grand scale, it’s also
a good idea to ignore your surroundings and concentrate
on the reflection alone.
Harbours are great locations as you get the shapes and
tones of boats reflecting in the water. Rivers and lakes
reflecting the surrounding scenery also work well, as do
puddles and ponds. The reflections are clear and crisp
when the water is flat calm, then suddenly abstract when
its surface is ruffled and the shapes are distorted. Both
options make great shots, and if the water isn’t disturbed
naturally, you can always throw a small stone in to create
ripples and break up the reflection.
A telezoom is ideal for shooting reflections as you can
home in on the most interesting areas and fill the frame for
maximum impact. Remember to focus on the reflection
itself, rather than the surface of the water. You may also
need to shoot at a small aperture – f/11 or smaller – to
record the whole reflection in sharp focus.5 ABSTRACT REFLECTIONS
JOKULSA BEACH, ICELAND
In winter, water takes on its
solid form – ice – and creates
a whole new range of photo
opportunities. On this beach
in Iceland, ice and water fight
for supremacy. The water
eventually wins and claims
the ice back as its own!
Canon EOS 5D MKIII with 16-35mm
lens, 3.2secs at f/14, ISO 100Water doesn’t have to be liquid to make a
great subject – ice is also water, just in frozen
form! Having visited Iceland numerous times in
recent years, I’ve shot more than my fair share
of the solid stuff and I love it! Big lumps of ice
make ideal foreground interest and if they’renot moving you can use slow shutter speeds
to blur water washing around them (see
techniques 1 and 2 for more information).
Of course, you don’t have to go all the way
to Iceland to shoot ice. On a cold winter’s day
you’ll find it much closer to home – in frozenpuddles, ponds and pools; in icicles hanging
from gutters and roofs; in condensation on
cold surfaces or raindrops on your car bonnet.
Look closer and you’ll discover fascinating ice
patterns that make great shots if you fill the
frame with a standard zoom or telezoom.6 ICE AND EASY
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