Reflections in Color
Shooting Color Refelctions In Kawaguchi
What:
Recently I had a conversation with a photographer who is working on a project of reflected self-portraits. The conversation spanned several days, each time out all I could see were reflections. Not self-portraits, but the reflections of Tokyo.
All of these visuals were coming in color. Way out of my comfort zone. Working primarily in black and white my first instinct was to ignore it. Soon it was all I could see. I spent the rest of my time shooting reflections in color.
The possibilities were definitely there, as evident in the contact sheet below, but not quite good enough to publish. More time will be needed to explore it properly.
Contact Sheet 1 Kawaguchi Reflection Exploration Day
How:
Kawaguchi city has a number of large nostalgic-looking phone booths. The glass booths allow me to shoot through as well as what’s reflected in it. Combing the two realities in one image can be difficult. A great deal of patience is required.
In terms of technique, it is not all that difficult. Focus can be achieved by stopping down to f8 or f11. Autofocus can hunt a little, therefore locking focus or manual focusing are recommended. The glass will reduce the amount of light hitting the sensor. I filled my frame with the reflection negating any exposure problems. However, if you wanted to include a non-reflected element to the frame take to consider it when setting the exposure.
Kawaguchi Reflection
This reflection was made off of a chrome door at a bank. The door frame is not flush creating distortion.
Why:
Why be uncomfortable? Why share a group of images that are below publishing standards? Why go back the next day and shoot the same subject?
Why be uncomfortable? In order to grow as an artist, we have to do things that are difficult.
Why share a group of images that are below publishing standards? This is more personal, I want to share my path as an artist in order to hasten yours.
Why go back the next day and shoot the same subject? Because I want to add this trick to my bag of tricks. I want to hone my craft as much as possible. I want to test myself each day.
Kawaguchi Reflection
This is a little too subtle, but with a little more work there is something that can be great.
Where:
Everything was shot in and around the Kawaguchi Station area.
