Ever wondered how to use mirrors creatively in photography?
Mirrors are very versatile tools and can add a ton of creative possibilities to your photographs.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best ways to use mirrors and reflections in your compositions, with plenty of ideas and examples to get you inspired.
Ready? Read on.
Why Do Photographers Use Mirrors?
Credit: Fotios Photos
Mirrors are really helpful tools in photography.
They can be used to play with light, create symmetry, or add the illusion of depth, transforming the mood and composition of your shots.
By reflecting parts of a scene, mirrors can turn ordinary photos into interesting and unusual visuals that make your composition more eye-catching.
Mirrors allow photographers to capture shots that wouldn’t be possible with just a camera lens, opening up new creative possibilities for both beginners and pros.
Whether it’s selfies or abstract mirror photography, mirrors can be the secret ingredient for stunning images.
3 Mirror Photography Ideas for Beginners to Do at Home
Creating mirror photos at home is a great way to dive into creative photography.
Here are three simple yet effective ideas:
Double Reflection
Here’s a fun and easy way to experiment with mirror photography at home.
Place a mirror opposite a window to create a double reflection of the outside world.
Position yourself so both the window and its reflection are framed in the mirror photo.
For added creativity, play with angles to create symmetry or distort the reflection for a more abstract mirror image.
Object Reflections
If you want to experiment with giving a new perspective to subjects, try his.
Reflect things around the house in ways not thought of before.
Place an object, like a jewel or a cup, on a mirror and photograph it from different angles to capture its reflection.
This presents so many fascinating compositions and sets a dramatic contrast between the real object and the reflection.
Room Expander
Here’s another play on perspective.
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Use a mirror to make a small room appear larger in your photographs.
Position a mirror in a corner or against a wall to reflect the room’s interior.
Capture the expanded space from various angles to give the illusion of a larger area.
This is also a helpful trick in photographing real estate.
Through the Looking Glass: 3 Mirror Ideas to Use When Shooting Portraits
Mirrors can also elevate portrait photography, adding layers and complexity to your shots.
Here are three ideas:
Framed Reflection
Credit: Mehmetalituran
Mirrors are excellent framing devices. Use them to bring focus to your models or subjects.
Experiment with different types of mirrors for creative portraits—maybe it’s a car mirror, the mirror of a makeup compact, or a bathroom mirror.
One option is to position your model in front of a mirror and shoot at an angle so that both the subject and their reflection can be seen in the frame.
This leads to a dynamic composition, adding dimension to the portrait.
You can even use multiple mirrors and angle your camera so that only the mirror images are visible in the composition.
Hidden Identity
Image Credit: Unsplash
To add a bit of a mysterious air to your compositions, have a go at this one.
Use reflections to partially mask the face of your subject.
Position a small mirror so that the mirror obscures half of the model’s face or body.
Experiment with angles to create a mysterious or abstract portrait, whereby the reflection reveals what is hidden.
Over-the-Shoulder
This is a classic in portrait photography.
Capture your subject’s reflection by shooting over their shoulder.
Have your model stand with their back to the camera, looking into a mirror.
Focus on their reflection while blurring the foreground, adding an introspective element to the portrait.
Solo Reflections: 3 Mirror Ideas for Self-Portraits
Taking self-portraits with mirrors can be both fun and challenging. Here are three creative ideas for mirror selfies:
Mirror Collage
Credit: Pexels
This is a further exploration of the framing idea mentioned above.
Use multiple small mirrors to create a collage of reflections in one frame.
Position a variety of differently-sized mirrors around you in random positions to capture your reflection from many angles in one frame.
This gives a more fragmented, artistic touch to your self-portrait.
You can even go a step further and strike multiple poses without moving the camera.
Then edit the photo to show all the different poses on the mirrors to make an even more striking image.
Mirror Head
Credit: Pexels
Hold a mirror in front of your face to create an unusual self-portrait.
Position a handheld mirror to reflect a specific part of your face or body, while leaving the rest of the scene untouched.
Another effect to try is using a small handheld mirror to hide a facial feature or even your entire face.
The reflection could either be the background or a random object.
This allows you to play with focus and composition, creating a surreal effect.
Half-Face Composition
Credit: Pexels
Here’s another striking effect you can experiment with.
Position yourself so that half of your face is visible directly, while the other half is reflected in a mirror.
This makes quite an interesting and sometimes eerie effect (uncanny valley, anyone?).
With a little bit of editing magic, you can make it seem that your reflection shows a different facial expression.
This creates an intriguing split-personality effect.
Kinda spooky but makes for some great compositing and editing practice.
Mirror-Image Marketing: Creative Mirror Ideas to Use in Product Photography
Mirrors can add a sophisticated touch to product photography by enhancing the visual appeal of your items.
While photographing mirrors can also be quite fun, they are often used to enhance the composition by adding a new element to the mix.
Here are some ways you can do just that:
Reflected Sky Effect
Credit: Pexels
This is a popular technique in product photography that’s pretty easy to do.
Lay a flat mirror on a flat and even surface.
Then place the product on top of the mirror with its “front” facing up.
After that, place a sky background behind the mirror at an angle.
All you need to do now is shoot down on the product at an angle in a way that the “sky” is reflected in the mirror.
You can also use a little bit of water on the mirror to add that ripple effect.
Infinite Product Display
Credit: Pexels
Use two mirrors to create an endless reflection of your product.
Position two identical frameless mirrors facing each other.
Then put your product in between the two mirrors and shoot from above.
For best results, grab yourself an infinity mirror box.
The box works the same but instead of two mirrors, this one uses a one-way mirror for the front.
This allows you to shoot straight through the box unobstructed while still having the cool infinity effect.
Classic Reflection Effect
Credit: Pexels
Finally, this tried and true technique is a must-try.
Simply place your borderless flat mirror on a surface and place your product on top.
Then use a solid or minimalist abstract background.
The key here is the lighting. Play with your lighting setup and see how the light interacts with your product and the mirror.
Then shoot head-on with the camera at the product’s length.
The reflection creates an illusion that your product emerged from the water.
Pretty neat.
3 Ideas for Using Mirrors to Add a Creative Touch in Wedding Photography
Mirrors can be magical in wedding photography, capturing special moments with a unique twist.
Reflection of the Couple
Credit: Pexels
Capture the couple’s reflection in a mirror during intimate moments.
Put a mirror where the couple is comfortable and can interact naturally, such as kissing or embracing.
Get their reflection for that timeless and classic romantic shot.
Another variation would be to use a rather large mirror with an ornate frame.
The mirror adds a bit of a visual point of interest to the photo.
Mirrored First
Credit: Pexels
Capture the couple’s first dance using cleverly placed mirrors.
Pick a spot with a bit of distance from the couple.
Then lay the mirror on the floor facing up.
Then shoot from a low angle with the couple and their reflection in the frame.
This creates a symmetrical composition that makes the image slightly more dramatic.
Wedding Prep Through Reflections
Credit: Pexels
The preparation hours before the wedding are a great way to incorporate mirrors into your shoots.
After all, it’s when the bride and her entourage get their makeup done in front of mirrors.
One way to use mirrors in your getting-ready photos is to shoot from behind your subject with their reflections as the focus.
This adds a bit of artistic flair to your shots.
You can also use other reflective surfaces like window panes or glass tables.
These will add different perspectives to your visual storytelling.
3 Ideas for Capturing Still Life Through Mirrors
Still-life photography can be elevated with the creative use of mirrors.
Inverted Reflection
Credit: Pexels
Flip your still-life composition using a mirror.
You can shoot the reflection of your still-life setup over a mirror.
This is how you would reverse the scene for a visually interesting picture playing with perspective.
Another way to play with this effect is to tie a string to the product and dangle it above the mirror.
This creates a levitation effect evoking a sense of weightlessness.
Framing with Mirrors
Credit: Pexels
Much like other subjects, you can use mirrors to frame your still-life, too.
Try this one: surround your subjects with different mirrors.
This gives multiple different angles that adds depth and complexity to an otherwise plain composition.
For a more pronounced effect, use mirrors of various shapes, sizes, and even frames.
Abstract Shapes
Credit: Pexels
Mirrors are great ways to make abstract shapes too.
Distorted or warped mirrors create funky reflections just like those in funhouse mirrors.
Set up mirrors at several angles to reflect and distort objects in your still life.
This will create a dynamic, abstract composition that is more about the form and light rather than the objects themselves.
Play around with convex and concave mirrors to create cool compositions.
5 Tips for Getting the Perfect Mirror Shot
Here are a few things to keep in mind when experimenting with mirror photography.
Tip 1: Choose the Correct Mirror
The type of mirror you use greatly determines the result.
For a full-body shot of an outfit, a full-length mirror is great.
For just your face, you can use a vanity mirror.
A plain mirror is simple and blends seamlessly with the background, while an ornately framed mirror attracts attention.
Take note of the size and shape of the mirror that would best fit your subject.
Tip 2: Light It Up
The best thing about mirror shots is that they look fantastic in natural light.
Stand in front of a window to get soft, diffused light.
If necessary, try placing curtains or blinds to soften the sharpness of the light.
If artificial lighting cannot be avoided in your mirror photography, use it judiciously so that it’s uniformly distributed without creating darks or glare.
Tip 3: Find the Perfect Angle
Play with angles to find one that’s complementary.
To do this, first look at what kind of body shape is being dealt with and the way in which you want to show it off.
In the same way, mirrors can also be used to draw attention to a particular feature or perspective.
A mirror slightly angled can elongate your figure, but a mirror square to you is more likely to give you a more symmetrical shot.
Tip 4: Pay Attention to Background
A background can either make or break a mirror shot.
So, keep backgrounds clean to avoid them being distracting.
Plain colors and soft, subtle patterns tend to work well with mirrors.
You can also use a wide aperture to give some blurring effect to the background – this will help draw attention to the subject.
Or better yet, put something interesting in the background; it can be plants or paintings to make the overall composition more striking.
Tip 5: Edit Wisely
Post-processing can refine your mirror shot.
Adjust the luminance, contrast, and saturation to bring out the details, and crop out any unnecessary elements for a cleaner composition.
Adding filters or effects can also boost the creative results of your mirror photography.
Tip: Some mirrors may have a slight greenish tint, but this can be corrected with color adjustments.
FAQs About Using Mirrors for Creative Photography
What lens is best for reflection photography?
A wide-angle lens is great for reflection photography as it captures more of the scene in one shot. For more dramatic, close-up reflections, a telephoto lens can also be a good choice.
Can you use a mirror as a reflector for photography?
You can certainly use a mirror as a reflector to bounce light on your subject. Just take care that the reflected light doesn’t result in excess glare in the light.
What is the mirroring technique in photography?
The mirroring technique in photography involves using reflective surfaces, like mirrors or water, to create duplicate or symmetrical images of a subject. This can add depth, balance, or an abstract quality to your photos. This is also known as reflection photography.
How do I avoid glare and stray light when using mirrors?
To avoid glare and stray light, keep your mirror free of smudges and avoid shooting directly into the sun or bright light sources. Using a polarizing filter can also help reduce glare.
