Sometimes the best part of a scene isn’t in front of you — it’s beneath your feet, beside a building, or bouncing off a window. Reflections offer a second layer of visual interest, doubling your subject or reshaping your composition entirely.

Smartphone photographers often overlook reflections, but when used well, they can elevate a photo from decent to remarkable. Whether you’re capturing puddles after rain, architecture in glass, or portraits in mirrors — reflection is a tool for creativity and mood.

Why reflections are powerful

Create symmetry: Perfect or broken reflections form natural balance and rhythm.
Add depth: Layering the real and the reflected creates visual complexity.
Reveal alternate views: Show the subject indirectly — through a surface, not straight on.
Tell two stories at once: The subject and its reflection can contrast, align, or play off one another.

They invite the viewer to look twice — and that’s a win in any composition.

Where to find reflections

Water
- Puddles, lakes, fountains, wet sand, or glossy surfaces after rain.
- Best results come when the water is still — early morning or calm conditions.
Glass
- Windows, car windshields, phone screens, shop fronts — all can bounce light and form double images.
- Shoot at an angle for layered effects or straight on for symmetry.
Mirrors
- Household mirrors, bathroom tiles, elevators — perfect for portraits or visual tricks.
Metal and polished surfaces
- Cars, handrails, countertops, spoons — even imperfect reflections can add atmosphere.
Unexpected materials
- Sunglasses, water bottles, tablets, glossy floors — think creatively.

How to photograph reflections with your smartphone

Get low
Especially with puddles — the closer your lens is to the surface, the stronger and more mirror-like the reflection becomes.
Tap to expose properly
Reflections can trick your phone’s exposure — tap on the part you want to prioritize, and slide to adjust brightness.
Flip the photo
Sometimes the reflection becomes the star — try flipping the image upside down in post for a more surreal effect.
Use symmetry or asymmetry
Perfect reflection? Embrace symmetry. Offset your subject and play with balance.
Focus carefully
Decide whether you want the reflection sharp or blurred — both can be effective, but not at the same time.

Best lighting for reflections

Golden hour: Reflections gain warmth and clarity.
Blue hour: Surfaces like water or glass take on rich, deep tones.
Overcast: Soft light eliminates harsh glare and allows for cleaner contrast.

When to use reflections

To create a calm, poetic feel
To add a second layer of meaning or visual echo
To fill negative space with texture
To build complexity into minimalist scenes

Reflections don’t have to be perfect — even a ripple can add character.

When to avoid reflections

When they compete with or confuse your subject
In busy scenes where the reflection adds clutter
When you can’t control glare or unwanted highlights

Use reflection as a tool — not as a gimmick. It should serve your composition, not distract from it.

Did you know?

Reflections have played a role in art for centuries — from mythological symbolism in classical paintings to surreal compositions by photographers like Vivian Maier. In modern street photography, reflections are used to combine inside and outside, blur the lines of reality, and tell layered visual stories.

Today, smartphone photographers can use the same techniques on the go — with water, windows, or even sunglasses.

Practical tips

Carry a small water bottle to create your own puddles.
Shoot during calm conditions to get still surfaces.
Turn your phone upside down to get the lens closer to the reflective surface.
Use burst mode if people or animals are moving through the scene — timing is everything.

Common mistakes

Not aligning your phone properly — results in skewed or broken symmetry.
Overexposing the sky or background while trying to capture a reflection.
Including unintended clutter, like your own reflection or bright distractions.
Trying to force a reflection where it doesn’t support the story.

Look for reflections that enhance — not compete.

Related techniques

Use the search bar above to search for any composition technique, including the below:

Symmetry
Off-centre composition (when reflection is dominant)
Juxtaposition (real vs reflected)
Layering

Conclusion

Reflections offer a new way to see the world — and to show it. With just a smartphone and some awareness, you can turn puddles into portals, windows into frames, and mirrors into metaphors. It’s about seeing what’s not directly there — and composing with intention.

📘 Reflections are just one of the visual storytelling tools in Stronger Photo Composition - 4-Step System. This book helps you see differently, frame creatively, and photograph with more confidence and control — every time.

👉 Buy the physical book or PDF version of Stronger Photo Composition - 4-Step System

Reflections — how to double your impact