Yesterday, I attended the monthly meeting for CoPA (Coalition of Photographic Arts). This is an organization devoted to advancing photography as an art, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Last night’s meeting provided a review of several members’ photography, and it got me thinking about some of my photography.

Miami Reflections

I often take pictures of reflections. I find that the contrast between the physical subject and its reflection intrigue me. Most often, it is water that provides the reflective surface, as in this picture taken in Miami across a small inlet. The picture has a feeling of warmth, provided by the early morning sunrise.

Water can be mirror-like in very calm conditions, or can be rippled, giving a wide variety of textures in the reflected subject. And the use of dynamic colors can really have a powerful impact in a reflected image, with the blue water and blue sky providing great contrast.

Reflections in Copley Square

Other surfaces can be reflective as well, providing a different type of contrast.

This picture is of a church, taken against an office building in Copley Square, Boston. The building’s windows provide a mirror-like surface, and the structure of the building itself adds interest to the overall impact of the picture.

In this case, the physical structure of the subject (the church) is not in the picture, just its reflection. Sometimes this can provide an abstract feel to the picture, however, in this case, both the church and the office building are clearly identifiable.

Reflections on a Foggy Day

Finally, weather can help set a mood for a reflection.

This picture shows the Milwaukee city skyline across the pond in Veterans Park on a foggy, raining day.

The rain was light enough that the surface remained fairly mirror-like. The disappearing buildings, both physical and in the reflection, give the viewer some pause as to what’s missing.

Hope you enjoy the mid-week reflections!