Reflections

I've been playing with this idea for a while now, and only sometimes it works.

The first idea was just to photograph the racetrack and the fans, reflected in a fellow fan's sun glasses. Then I pushed the envelope to try to get the race cars in the reflection as well.

What makes them good, and bad?
How can I improve ?

I personally don't care for reflection shots like that because they tend to be too boring for me, I'd rather just see the gokarts themselves.

I have been attracted to some reflection shots but I think what makes them good is the subject in the reflection is an image that stands on it's own (of interest, sharp (in focus) with good tones, color and contrast). Then, the fact that it is obviously a reflection makes the photo stand out.

In these shots, the bottom two have potential but the above mentioned flaws in the reflections, for me, allows the photos to lack interest.

Tuna

Getting the focus right on the glasses with a digital P&S is a challenge !
I'm looking forward to affording a DSLR (I'm saving hard).

Some glasses (like the orange coloured ones) distort the colours, either you like that or hate it.
Some just don't give a string enough reflection, and it looks dull.

So from your comment, I should be looking for non-tinted mirror shades to get the best result.


The focus is a real problem, either the camera wants to focus on the face, or on the glasses frame.
Because it's a convex surface, I'm not sure where to set the focus.
At infinity, because that's where the cars are.
At the surface of the glasses lens.
Or somewhere else.

Does anyone have the answer?

Usually I see this type of image as a "novelty"........not too serious and lots of fun.

I like that you have captured a complete scene that could stand on its own....

As a series I think the set of images create more interest than a single image and move past the novelty status. As you say taking the images and making them work is a challenge all on it's own.

Andy S

In high school, for the yearbook, I took a picture of a girl at the Homecoming game watching a bunch of balloons released. I got the balloons in her glasses, and the picture has always appealed to me for that reason (still does).