Each month, Bluedot Living will feature a photo essay by Yasmin Namini, a former Chief Consumer Officer at the New York Times, who is now traveling the world taking photographs. At Bluedot, we believe that celebrating the Earth’s most enchanting creatures, cultures, and landscapes will inspire us to help preserve them.
“Reflections add a subtle dance of light and shadow, offering a richer, more nuanced story.”
The world is teeming with beauty, often revealed in the most unexpected mirrors: reflections on water. Using reflections in photography is one way to enhance the artistry of an image – adding layers of depth, dimension, and texture to each photograph.
Whether it’s birds in flight, mammals at a watering hole, or majestic landscapes, reflections add a subtle dance of light and shadow, offering a richer, more nuanced story. Mirrored images invite us, as observers, to reflect deeper, not just on the beauty of the scene before us, but on our internal reactions to it.
In this series of images, the reflection is not merely a visual echo; it’s a gateway to a richer, more profound understanding of the beauty that resides in our natural world.
Mirrored Stripes
At a tranquil watering hole in Tanzania, a quartet of zebras quench their thirst. Their iconic stripes are artfully mirrored in the water below, creating a harmonious blend of reality and reflection. This moment captures the beauty of symmetry, both in the natural world and its reflection.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS 5D Mark II; 1/500 sec; f/5.6; ISO 100
Golden Reflections
Amid the tranquil waters of Botswana, a family of elephants enjoy drinking under the golden glow of the sun. Their majestic presence magnified by their reflections. As a spectator, I’m enveloped in the peaceful beauty of the scene.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS 5D Mark II; 1/320 sec; f/5; ISO 100
Egret Elegance
Gracefully gliding above Vero Beach waters, an Egret casts a pristine reflection, a mirror image of freedom and elegance. Flying birds over water make especially beautiful images, painting a symmetrical tableau of nature's design meeting its reflection.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS R5; 1/2,000 sec; f/7.1; ISO 320
Mirror, Mirror in the Park
Amidst the urban hustle of Central Park in New York City, a trio of Mallard ducks find solace by the water's edge. One duck, with an outstretched neck and wings slightly unfurled, seems captivated by its own mirrored image in the pond.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS 1D X Mark III; 1/160 sec; f/6.3; ISO 800
Nature's Icy Mirror
Amid the untouched splendor of summer in Antarctica, this snow-covered mountain stands tall, casting its mirror-like reflection on the tranquil waters below. It’s a breathtaking scene capturing the artistry of nature's pristine majesty.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS 5D Mark II; 1/4,000 sec; f/5; ISO 100
Echoes of Antiquity
In the embrace of the High Atlas Mountains, the ancient kasbah of Ait Benhaddou stands timeless. A UNESCO World Heritage Site with origins in the 11th century, this mud built village exudes history. Yet, its reflection in the serene pool below adds a touch of magic, merging ancient grandeur with nature's mirror.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS R5; 1/50 sec; f/5.6; ISO 100
All photographs copyright Yasmin Namini.
