Summary

Anne Bonfert, a photographer, challenges herself to use a hand mirror in nature photography, learning to embrace unpredictability and the beauty of serendipitous results.

Abstract

Anne Bonfert embraces the philosophy that challenges are essential for growth and excitement in life. She applies this to her photography, constantly seeking new ways to improve her skills. After previously exploring reflections in side-view mirrors, she takes on the task of incorporating a hand mirror into her nature photography. The process is fraught with difficulties, from positioning the mirror to capturing sharp reflections amidst distractions. However, by relinquishing control and allowing spontaneity, she achieves captivating images that reflect the interplay of nature and the mirror's reflections. Bonfert encourages fellow photographers to experiment with mirrors in their own work, whether in nature or within their homes, as a means of inspiration and learning.

Opinions

Bonfert believes that challenges and difficulties are what make life, and by extension photography, interesting and rewarding.
She values the process of learning through trial and error, emphasizing that photography is not just about planning but also about letting things happen naturally.
The photographer expresses that sometimes the best results come from embracing the unexpected and not being fixated on a specific outcome.
Bonfert sees the act of photographing through mirrors as a fun and educational exercise, suggesting that it can provide new perspectives and creative opportunities.
She invites other photographers to join in on the photography challenge, fostering a sense of community and shared learning within the photography community.

PHOTOGRAPHY. INSPIRATION. CREATIVITY

Placing a Mirror into Nature

Another task challenging my photography skills

If things would have been easy, life would be boring.

Challenges and difficulties are what make life interesting in the first place. Without failures and setbacks, we wouldn’t know what to fight for in life. We wouldn’t know the value of a successfully completed task.

This is why I am constantly looking for new challenges. In life, I try new sports and activities, do further training and explore the world as much as I can.

With my camera in hand, I see the world with different eyes and love taking on diverse tasks in order to improve my skills.

One of the previous writing prompts I started was about side view mirrors. Capturing a reflection of what’s behind us through the mirror.

Until today I didn’t find the chance to capture something else than the object in the side-view mirror. But just as I was cleaning up my room, this tiny hand mirror fell into my lap.

Immediately, I knew I had to take it into nature. Let’s see what I can produce with this interesting object.

I struggled from the beginning. I either failed to safely place the mirror somewhere in the trees or it was simply not reflecting what I wanted to see in the mirror.

Yes, you can steer reflections. Depending on the angle of the mirror and where you stand in proportion to it, the image reflected changes. And of course, the focus. You choose what you focus on.

The next challenge was to get the image in the mirror sharp. Due to many distractions around the mirror, it often came out as a blurry reflection.

But once I let go of the idea to control the image and just photographed instead, I finally got display-worthy results. Photography isn’t just about programming and planning the shot.

Sometimes you just have to let things happen and see what comes out.

And once I let go of the urge to get a specific image, I started enjoying the photography shoot.

Like in the image below. Initially, I wanted to get the daffodils in the mirror. But when I failed in doing so and just clicked the shutter instead, I brought the perfectly beautiful blue sky into the frame. Doesn’t it look pretty?

And then there was this one.

Once I realized I cannot get the background and the image in the mirror sharp at the same time, I knew I had to pick only one.

This was when I clicked this final image.

I hope this was some new inspiration for my fellow nature photographers out there. Even if you don’t have a car, look for a small hand mirror and see where you can place it.

Or photograph things in your house through the mirrors you already have in position. It’s fun and a great learning exercise.

I’d love to revive this photography challenge of mine and invite you all to join the writing prompt “the image in the mirror”.

This is the initial writing prompt and my first response to it:

Reflections in the Side View Mirror

Capturing what's behind you

medium.com

Side View Mirror Photography in Thailand

A different light onto what’s behind you

medium.com

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