STEP BY STEP GREAT PUDDLE REFLECTIONS

This isn’t a complicated effect, but getting it right isn’t always an easy affair

01 GET THE WEATHER RIGHT!

To get images like these you’ll need to shoot soon after rain. Cloudy or overcast days work well for moody reflections. Try woodland areas as they work well – there’s lots of deep puddles and the trees to make for an interesting backdrop.

02 GET GOOD PUDDLES

Find a puddle that’s smooth and wide without too much poking out of it – you can remove any debris to create a clearer reflection. If you are shooting in muddy areas, make sure you use one that hasn’t been walked through.

03 SET UP YOUR CAMERA

We shot in Aperture Priority at 1/125 sec, f/4, ISO400. Keep the ISO low to maintain high image quality, but ensure your shutter speed isn’t too slow – if it’s still rainy, water droplets might cause ripples that could distort your reflection.

04 GET LOW

For the best framing, get low and shoot across the surface of the puddle – this makes it look like a bigger body of water. Focus on your subject’s reflection, and ensure that it is dominant in the frame. Be ready to get a bit wet trying to get the shot.

05 SHOOT USING MODELS

If you’re shooting in a spot like ours there can be a lot of the same colours. In our case the woodland location is very green and brown. It helps if your model is wearing an item of clothing that is from a different colour palette to the rest of the image.

06 FLIPPING THE IMAGE

In Photoshop, rotate the image by 180 degrees (Image>image Rotation>180º) so that the reflection is now at the top of the frame. Crop out any distractions, any debris, as leaves or stones sticking out of the ‘sky’ will ruin the illusion.