Water reflects

[Jleon99]

There was not wind moving the water then I composed this shot using the water lake as mirror; my question after I took this shot was:
Should I include the upper part in the composition?



I am open to feedback.
Nikon D3100
55mm
F5.6
1/15
ISO110

[dragonaxe]

yes...actually it might be worth cropping out the grass at the top as well. May well provide a very surreal image

[Geoff F]

Reflections are always tricky to get correct and I don't think there are any definite rules to help you. Except to remember that you can/did see the whole scene and know what is happening while anybody who views the photo has to try to understand what has happened without any prior knowledge.

So a firm reference point to say 'This is reality and this is a reflection' is often helpful. Or some other firm indication that they are seeing a reflection and not looking at a poorly focused scene, upside down.

In this case, I think that a 'reality reference point' would be useful.

But, like I said, reflections are tricky; I have seen so many wonderful reflection scenes which looked fantastic in real life but degenerated into a terrible mess in my photos.