How to Use Reflection in a Photo: A Rainstorm in Ireland Becomes an Opportunity

© Andy O’Farrell

During a weekend jaunt to Dublin, Ireland, Shutterbug reader Andy O’Farrell had planned to enjoy a couple of days shooting around the city. However, a monkey wrench had been thrown into his plans courtesy of Mother Nature.

“First day, it rained as it only can in Ireland—persistent and heavy—giving me no chance at all,” O’Farrell explains.

Thankfully, though, on the second day the luck of the Irish smiled down on him.

“In the afternoon, about 4 p.m., it finally cleared and I hit the streets. I was actually walking around the puddle of water in the shot, trying to work out a composition for a photo with a building reflected in the water, when I saw the man in the black coat approaching. I had about five seconds to get the composition right and as luck would have it, he walked straight toward me and I was able to get his reflection in the pool of water. Only seconds before, people were crisscrossing the street but Lady Luck gave me a break and I got a clean shot.”

O’Farrell captured the image with a Canon EOS 7D and a 24-70mm lens at f/5.6 and 1/80 second. To view more of O’Farrell’s images, visit andyofarrell.com.

See more Shutterbug reader photos that use reflection in our Reflections Gallery.

X