• This set of photographs are the 12 best ones taken under the concept of “reflection” and by deep inspirations of Sebastian Magnani
  • The concept of reflection is the main focus in this unit of photography. Reflect may be presented in many forms, wether it is straight forward or not. I personally choose presenting “literal” reflections because I favored its ability to convey emotions directly without making “twists” which can cause a deeper impact to my audiences. I achieved this point by using a literal mirror as a tool to help convey the subject within my photographs. I used lighting and contrast of subjects inside/outside the mirrors to demonstrate the subject as one differ from the environment.
  • Sebastian Magnani is a Switzerland Photographer well known for his “intimate portraits masterfully utilizing light and color to create emotional scenes”. His works deeply inspired me because for a second I was able to see a sperate world within his picture, a world of difference and unknown.

 

(1) – Golden Hour / Top 1

  • The name is a reference to the song Golden Hour by JVKE. I found the song and the image as a perfect pair of harmony, and just like the song, this image captures a golden moment.
  • I used a high to low angle to show additional reflections of the mirror and has the lights shine in from the top left corner. The lighting tone was then edited to look golden which ends up in this composition.
  • To improve, I should be more creative with how the background is displayed along with the golden moment to achieve greater heights.

(2) – Galaxy / Top 2

  • This is named galaxy because of the space reflection on the subject’s mask. The idea originated from Michael, whom was inspired by a previous internet trend which had people photograph themselves in fishbowls while space was reflected on it to make them look like astronauts.
  • This photo used a high to low angel to present the subject in a “weak” composition as it stands true when compared to the vast space. Lighting was used in a way where it was stuck extremely close to the subject to generate the natural reflection of the lights.
  • To improve, there should be more suggestive elements in the background to show that the subject is in space.

 

(3) – Old Times / Top 3

  • This is named Old Times due to its black & white tone, which projects a vintage emotion.
  • This photo followed Sebastian’s inspiration of mirroring subjects within the foreground. I used reflection as a skill to creatively present the subject as differ. The comparison between two types of plants in two settings (inside and outside the mirror) communicates a conflicting emotion.
  • To improve, the photo could be cropped more on the top right corner to erase extra foreground which frees up more space and make the comparison tighter.

 

(4) – “Hi” (taken by Michael, edited by Thomas)

  • This photo uses symmetry to create a pattern on the doors. This is then combined with a perspective shot to make the entrance look dramatic which enhances the shadow as the subject. The door was purposely opened a bit to seem like the shadow is entering the hallway. To improve, the shadow could be make more obviously while the line of symmetry could be raised more.

 

(5) – Blue Life

  • I used a high angle on this photo to frame the grass alongside the mirror together in an orderly fashion. This achieves the effect of a clear presentation of my subject, which is the mirror. I edited this photo by putting slight blurs on the picture while adding a few blue butterflies on the side to combine them with the background. To improve, I could use the rule of thirds and reposition my subject more to the left side.

 

(6) – Sahara

  • I used a side angle on the subject mirror to show both its composition and the refection at the same time. This allows the subject to be focused on by the audience while the composition is also clear as day. This photo is heavily inspired by one of Sebastian’s photos where he put a mirror on a dirt road while the sky was reflect. The two elements in this photo – sand and sky – creates a clear contrast of dense and clear, which I find amusing. To improve, I could focus on the sand more so the contrast is more obvious.

 

(7) – Mirage

  • The intent of this photo is to showcase time in a wasteland. The wasteland is represented by the mask that is half drowned in sand while time is symbolized by the mirror. These two elements create a time look feeling and combined with the shadows enhances this photo. To improve, I should clear out the sand to make it look more smooth.

 

(8) – Wasted

  • I used the water as a reflection to create a symmetry line which splits the photo into 2. This perfectly replicates the theme reflection as the water’s content is exactly what is above it. The natural background that the photo offers relaxes the audience. To improve, I should have photoshopped the blue wall in the background into trees or jungles to complete the theme of nature.

 

(9) – Inversion (taken by Michael, edited by Thomas)

  • This photo purposely uses “bad” lighting to generate a dark environment. It also creates a line of reflection where the subject of each side alters. The reflection in the shadow and the empty space above the pool creates a perfect contrast of absent and present. To improve, there should be more hints towards the contrast that the audience is suppose to realize.

 

(10) – Reflect

  • I used the contrast of texture and color in this photograph. I put the mirror on top of the towel to compared the two elements, one is white yet furry, the alter is colored yet smooth. This almost achieved a quadruple comparison and communicates change. To improve, I should lay out the towel more so it is completely smooth without curves.

 

(11) – Pool

  • I used a curved plastic surface as a “filter” and creates this distorted imagery of water. The theme of distortion ties to water because when reflections in water are affected, it usually become twisted. The elements of aquatics along the lighting turns both the reflection and the actual poll into half clear image. To improve, I should section of the distorted part of the photo for more effects which may create stunning visuals.

 

(12) – Basket

  • This photo used a high to low angle on a mirror which reflected the bottom of a basket with patterns. I also used comparison in the photo since it always generates a differ emotion. This photo compares the basket, which is patterned, to the floor, which is smooth. Such comparison brings attention to the subject which is the mirror as if it was some “door” for the transitions. To improve, I should pan the camera out more so the view is not forced upon the subject.

 

Citation:

  • https://www.sebastianmagnani.com/ (Artist)