Reflections

​
In May 2017, I went on my first photography trip. I traveled to Yosemite National Park to join a five-day photography workshop. I captured this picture of a reflection of Half Dome at sunset. In the winter of 2017, Yosemite had experienced an extraordinary amount of snow. The corresponding snow melt meant the conditions were extremely wet, that spring.

The Merced River ran furiously, and there were many unnamed waterfalls that popped up. The fields, that were normally dry, had puddles form. This picture of Half Dome was taken at one of those flooded fields.

Reflections are a powerful compositional tool. A tool that, until this point, I had never considered using. I had read about reflections but dismissed the thought of puddles as offering an opportunity for a reflection photograph. I thought puddles were too small to reflect anything. Have you ever looked down into a little pool of water? It’s like a mirror.

When the group got to this field, and I saw that it was flooded, I just wanted to turn around to leave. Instead, each photographer took off their shoes and socks, rolled up his/her pants and trekked through the water. When we reached the far side of the puddle and looked back towards Half Dome, the picture was obvious. The water was still and the reflection so strong, that looking on the camera’s screen, it was hard to tell which end was up.

I set up my shot and waited for the sun to go down. The sky lit up with a soft palette of colors, while Half Dome still had a glow. I’ve never looked at a simple puddle of water the same way, since that evening.
​
Although this was a large puddle, you can get reflections from any size. I’ve found it important to explore them from differing angles to get differing views. I no longer avoid puddles—fearing getting wet. Instead, I investigate to see what I can find in them.

---

Want to Learn More Photography?
Click Here