Reflections in photography can make your image interesting. I am always looking for reflections in water, off of buildings anywhere there is a chance for something interesting to reflect. I keep an eye out for it.
I like the sky reflecting in the lake or a puddle of water. It adds interest to the image. Finding a reflection is one thing, photographing it is another. Sometimes you need to get down low to get the reflection you want, sometime you must move left or right, higher or lower. Or sometime you need to use your imagination. I found one way to get reflections is to use long exposure on the water, 30 seconds to 1 minute work well. Where there was no reflection with the long exposure it show up. So if you get to a lake that the water is just a little rough, try a longer exposure of up to 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. That water will smooth out and you will sometimes get that reflection that you were looking for.
To get that long exposure, you will need a neutral density filter to slow down that shutter speed. The strength of the filter will depend on how bright it is. I use many types of these filters from the variable ones to the square single strength one. Each works a little different and I found each has their uses at different times. I will be talking more about the Neutral density filter system in a future article, I am testing out one right now and will report back later.
One final tip on reflections. It works the best on partly cloudy days. You need some clouds in the sky, but not complete overcast, you need some blue sky, but not completely clear. So watch out for those reflections, they are fun to hunt down, and can make the image more interesting.
I want to thank Ken Warning our WACCO President. He gave me the idea of reflection a couple of years ago when we were photographing in the Smoky Mountains. I have been watching for them ever since then.