“Shapes distorted, dissected by the wind only to be reassembled into abstract designs, a beautiful illusionary canvas, ever moving.” – Christine Matthai.
As in any form of art, the artist is always looking for a new creative twist, something that will bring a new dimension to their piece. In photography it is no different. Reflective photography for me gifts a photographer with so many new possibilities.
Rhino Reflection, an example of a photograph of a rhino reflected in the water creates an interesting perspective. Photograph by: Trevor McCall-Peat
Capturing a reflective image in itself provides a challenge as there are numerous elements that need to come together to capture that perfect moment, especially in wildlife photography as your subjects have a mind of their own and getting them to the right place at the right time is often no easy task. But reflection for me offers us so much more than just a challenge. It allows our mind to wonder and to see an image in a unique way, adding depth and interest.
Reflections are just one way of the ever changing shapes that so beautifully epitomises this incredible place in which we live, always transforming, never the same and so apparent now as winter ends and summer springs to life.
To photograph reflections is always high up on my list but as I have mentioned, it is definitely no easy task. I have put together a collection of some of my favourites as well as some taken by fellow guides and good friends…
The Camp Pan male captured here in black and white and reflected in the water. Photograph by: Mike Sutherland.
The blood stained mouth of a cheetah is reflected in the water making the image a lot more interesting. Photograph by Andrea Campbell.
A hamerkop wades through the water. Photograph by: Trevor McCall-Peat
Submerged in the water, a hyena cools off and slakes its thirst. Photograph by Mike Sutherland.
Male Lion. Photograph by Andrea Campbell.
Double take: a sand piper seen from two angles. Photograph: Trevor McCall-Peat
A striking and unusual image of a tree. Photograph by Andrea Campbell.
The Tsalala cub inspects its reflection. Photograph by Mike Sutherland.
Mirror Image. The Tsalala cub quenches its thirst. Photograph by Trevor McCall-Peat.
The Tsalala lioness strides through muddy waters. Photograph by Mike Sutherland.
Reflections of black and white. Photograph by Andrea Campbell.
Zebra Double. Photograph by Mike Sutherland.
This image of a Tsalala cub is made more interesting by the reflection of the tree in the water. Photograph by: Andrea Campbell.
Drinking shots are always a good idea for trying to capture the reflection of the subject you are shooting. Photograph by Simon Smit.
Night-time reflections. Photograph byTrevor McCall-Peat.
Another interesting double is created in this image. Photograph by Simon Smit.
Written by: Trevor McCall-Peat
Photography: Trevor McCall-Peat, Andrea Campbell, Mike Sutherland, Simon Smit.
Rich Laburn is filmmaker, photographer and writer who is based at Londolozi Game Reserve in South Africa. Spending his time capturing scenes of the wild and communicating the beauty of the African bushveld, he runs the Londolozi Blog as a way to entertain and engage people wishing to visit these wild lands.
