![Black and white photo of sea stacks](https://i0.wp.com/www.toonsarah-travels.blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/001-feature-074-Road-to-Dyrholaey-1.jpg?resize=1140%2C838&ssl=1)
Gallery: reflecting on black and white
No one can see their reflection in running water; it is only in still water that we can see.
Taoist proverb
It is true that in nature still water provides the best reflections.
So most of the photos I have selected for Cee’s black & white reflections challenge are of reflections in water – but not all of them.
All of these photos started life as colour images and were processed using Silver Efex. In some cases I prefer the colour original, in others I think these edits are more successful. See what you think – I have included a gallery of some of the original images at the foot of the post.
Reflections in water
![Black and white photo of reflections in a lake](https://i0.wp.com/www.toonsarah-travels.blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/075-Road-to-Dyrholaey-landscapes.jpg?resize=960%2C720&ssl=1)
An Icelandic landscape near Dyrholaey on the south coast
![Black and white photo of reflections in a lake](https://i0.wp.com/www.toonsarah-travels.blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/13-DPRK-36-P1210274-Mount-Paektu.jpg?resize=960%2C716&ssl=1)
The crater of Mount Paektu reflected in its lake (shot taken from North Korea, but this opposite shore of the lake is actually in China)
![Black and white photo of reeds reflected in still water](https://i0.wp.com/www.toonsarah-travels.blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/91-Africa-2018-Photo-08-07-2018-15-44-41-Xugana-Island-Botswana.jpg?resize=960%2C720&ssl=1)
Reeds in the Okavango Delta
![Black and white photo of a few sticks reflected in water](https://i0.wp.com/www.toonsarah-travels.blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Photo-07-07-2018-15-45-20-minimalism.jpg?resize=960%2C720&ssl=1)
More reeds in the Okavango Delta, this time a more abstract treatment
![Small tree growing in water](https://i0.wp.com/www.toonsarah-travels.blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Souimanga-Lodge-Photo-06-02-2016-08-53-00.jpg?resize=960%2C643&ssl=1)
A young mangrove taking root in the lagoon at Souimanga Lodge in the Sine-Saloum region of Senegal
So far I have concentrated on landscapes but buildings and other structures can be reflected in water too.
![Black and white photo of tall buildings in mist, reflected in water](https://i0.wp.com/www.toonsarah-travels.blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/P1120153.jpg?resize=960%2C706&ssl=1)
An Abu Dhabi sunrise, reflected in the still waters of the lagoon, part of the Persian Gulf
![Sepia photo of old Oriental style bridge](https://i0.wp.com/www.toonsarah-travels.blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/21-0005-Vie-P1240935-Japanese-Covered-Bridge-Hoi-An.jpg?resize=960%2C884&ssl=1)
The Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An, given a sepia treatment to emphasise its age
We don’t need a large expanse of water to create a reflection; even a puddle will do!
![Church reflected upside down in a puddle on cobbled stones](https://i0.wp.com/www.toonsarah-travels.blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Photo-30-10-2018-08-03-00.jpg?resize=960%2C713&ssl=1)
San Michele in Foro, Lucca, reflected in a puddle on the piazza
![Building reflected upside down in a puddle on cobbled stones](https://i0.wp.com/www.toonsarah-travels.blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/P1110105-reflections.jpg?resize=960%2C813&ssl=1)
Another puddle, this one in the Old Town of Tallinn
Man-made reflections
The following reflections are made in man-made objects rather than in water
![Black and white photo of landscape reflected in car mirror](https://i0.wp.com/www.toonsarah-travels.blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/S-084-reflections.jpg?resize=960%2C685&ssl=1)
Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear – road tripping in the Grand Teton NP, WY
![Black and white photo of modern building](https://i0.wp.com/www.toonsarah-travels.blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/P1110930.jpg?resize=960%2C769&ssl=1)
A minaret reflected in a modern office block, Abu Dhabi
![Set of round mirrors reflecting people and buildings](https://i0.wp.com/www.toonsarah-travels.blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/P1000028-BW.jpg?resize=960%2C718&ssl=1)
Multiple reflections in an art installation in London’s Canary Wharf area
![Abstract B&W image](https://i1.wp.com/www.toonsarah-travels.blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1-Seattle-20-WA-2017-Photo-07-07-2017-02-23-25.jpg?ssl=1)
![Abstract B&W image](https://i2.wp.com/www.toonsarah-travels.blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1-Seattle-21-WA-2017-Photo-07-07-2017-02-23-40.jpg?ssl=1)
And a couple of very abstract-looking shots that are actually reflections on the walls of the MoPOP building in Seattle
Finally, here as promised, is a selection of the colour originals, including several of those I am inclined to prefer to the B&W edits. As always, click on any image to open them full-size.
![Scruffy looking shop in wood](https://i0.wp.com/www.toonsarah-travels.blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/DSCF0427.jpg?resize=75%2C75&ssl=1)
![Colourful mural in blues and greens](https://i0.wp.com/www.toonsarah-travels.blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/3-feature-Reykjavik-Day-6-Street-art-2.jpg?resize=75%2C75&ssl=1)
29 Comments
Manja Maksimovič
Very interesting, this sort of comparison. I guess it’s down to personal preferences. I adore your two b&w puddles, and the Abu Dhabi sunrise is great in b&w too. The crater works splendidly either way, as for most of the rest I prefer the version in colour.
Sarah Wilkie
It’s interesting how we all have different preferences on the B&W versus colour debate, even when it comes down to individual photos. I appreciate your insights 😀
Cee Neuner
Congratulations! I featured this post in CBWC this week.
https://ceenphotography.com/2021/07/29/cbwc-people-at-work/
I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Cee, I appreciate the feature 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend too!
justbluedutch
Oh wow, you´ve got amazing photographs Sarah.. I am honored to followed you and see your world.Well done!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much – both for the compliment and for the follow. Both are much appreciated 🙂
rkrontheroad
These all work so well in black & white. You have some interesting angles and points of view! I love the mangrove in Senegal; it just floats.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you so much Ruth 🙂 I’m quite fond of that mangrove photo myself!
Cee Neuner
oh Sarah, these are amazing photos for this week’s reflecting theme 😀
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Cee, I’m so glad you like them!
wetanddustyroads
Wow, you’ve got some really great photo’s here Sarah! The reflection of mountains in water are truly spectacular … but never thought of reflections in puddles (and how amazing is that!)
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you, I’m so pleased you enjoyed them! Do give puddle reflections ago – the water is usually so still that it’s not too difficult to find a good reflection 🙂
thehungrytravellers.blog
Some amazing shots and inspired conversions to b/w. Love those puddle captures!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you so much – and for taking the time to comment while travelling, especially after waiting so long to do so!
Suzanne@PictureRetirement
Sarah, these are all stunning. My favorite is the crater shot. I do like the color versions, but the b/w creates drama in each of them. You would love photographing the Bean in Chicago.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Suzanne 🙂 I’m pleased you liked the crater shot as that’s one of the ones I felt was definitely improved by the B&W edit. All being well I should be visiting Chicago next September (2022) and the Bean is of course high on my list!
lisaonthebeach
These are amazing Sarah!! I do really love that top photo. It’s hard to choose a favorite ❣❣❣
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Lisa – the top one is a favourite of mine 🙂
Rose
All of these are wonderful. I like the black and white puddle images. A person might have to be keenly observant to capture shots like that.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Rose 🙂 The puddles are examples of making the best of things when it rains on holiday!!
Natalie
Beautiful shots, Sarah. I like the two landscape shots in Iceland and North Korea both in colour and B&W.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Natalie, it’s great to get that specific feedback on those shots 🙂 And interesting as one of the Iceland shots (the snowy mountains) was among those I wasn’t so sure had worked in B&W!
Andrea R Huelsenbeck
These are wonderful!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Andrea 🙂
salsaworldtraveler
This is a great selection of photos, Sarah! Using puddles for reflections is a good idea and something I hadn’t thought of. Puddles almost always offer perfect reflections.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you 😀 I’ve tried the puddle thing a few times and it can be very effective when it comes off!
margaret21
What a satisfying gallery. Great shots!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Margaret – you were quick off the mark!
margaret21
Catching up still, post – holiday.