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Mutation (On Reflections #5)

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This is the last instalment on the reflections series. You may also check out instalments 1, 2, 3 and 4.

By mutation, I mean other creative ways to use reflections. Reflections can be real, and can be fake too. Let me give you some tips I have in stock.

First, do post processing. Making post-processed reflections in the photos can give some intriguing abstract results. The photo above is made possible by using a rather full-fledged free software called Photoscape. It offers a wide array of effects like illusions and reflections. I used both to come up with another photo:

R0011557 (Medium)  (2) More interesting results can be seen here by Paul.

Second, reflections can be faked by asking your model to mimic, say, a mannequin in a display window, a real person nearby or a mugshot on a magazine cover.

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(Taken with Minolta Dynax 7)

Otherwise, look for a wet surface. I am not speaking of real mirrored reflections here. But a wet surface can also do wonders to a photo. Take for example, walk around town at night and see if you’re lucky enough to be there after it showered or the workers washed the street. The reflections of lights on the wet street surface add colours to an otherwise usual image. For sure, the best known way of doing this is a landscape shot over waters. I hope that this series offer some useful pointers to you in doing more interesting photos. Enjoy photography! It will give your life-long fun.

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