The best camera settings for reflection photography.
Learn how to capture two subjects — your main subject and their reflection — in the same image with the best camera settings for reflection photography.
Photographing a reflection, especially from water, requires a specific camera setup to catch every detail without any motion blur. That’s why it’s essential to use the right camera settings for reflection photography.
Capture two subjects in one image with the right camera settings.
Reflection photography is all about catching your subject and their reflection in focus, in the same picture. Here’s how you do it:
- Aperture — Use a narrow aperture between f/11 and f/16 to create a deep depth of field and capture both your subject and their reflection in focus at the same time.
- Shutter speed — If your photographic subject features trees blowing in the wind or a passing boat causing waves, a fast shutter speed above 1/125 is ideal for avoiding blur from movement. You can also use a slow shutter speed to saturate the reflection and flatten out ripples for a more dramatic photo.
- ISO — If you want a fast shutter speed, raise your ISO to make your camera more sensitive to light. For long exposure shots, keep your ISO low to avoid oversaturation.
Depending on the environment, you can use the white balance settings to adjust colors. Most reflection photographers choose the “daylight” white balance preset to make the sky a deeper blue and warm up lights.
Make adjustments with photo editing software.
Along with the right camera settings for reflection photography, you can also harness powerful editing tools to help you create the perfect picture. Make adjustments to color, sharpness, and contrast with photo editors like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom to make your already-amazing reflection photos pop even more.
Discover more great photography tips for photographers of all skill levels. Explore what more you can do with Photoshop and Lightroom to create fascinating reflection photography.