I find water reflection photos some of the most fun photos to take. This post will explain several simple ways to get actual water reflection photos. Read on to find out more.
Real Water Reflection Photos vs Photo Shop
All of the photos in this post are real. I took them with my iPhone 11 Pro Max with iOS Version 17.2.1 installed. I didn't have any fancy anything. A few of the images were cropped for formatting. There are no other edits. On the internet, there are multiple sites explaining how to use Adobe Photoshop to create water reflection photos. In my opinion, that is cheating and takes the fun out of photography.
This image is of the Potomac River. It is an excellent place to get water reflection photos. Probably, most rivers that are slow moving would be good places to get these types of images. Calm water potentially creates clearer images.
Slightly Moving Water
Although the sun is shining brightly. The water is moving slightly. As a result, the image is not crisp. Regardless, this is a decent amateur photo. It probably wouldn't win a photo contest (nor any of the others), but it is fun to take. This can happen on sunny or cloudy days. The first and only non-negotiable for getting reflection photos is to hike or walk near some water.
Tree Reflection Photos in Different Weather
The second premise to taking real tree reflection photos is do not worry about the weather. As you can see from this photo. Fog and low light did not make a difference. Certainly, the weather gives this photo has a certain 'feel' that I like.
Be Patient
The third premise to taking real reflection photos is to be patient. I never go out thinking that I am going to get the best reflection photo ever. By all means, set yourself up for success by being near water. Above all, be diligent and look for opportunities for great photos. The surprise opportunities make the best finds. I got this photo on a fluke. The tree is quite a distance from the pond. I just happened to look, and there was this amazing image. You just never know!