Anne Sandler
February 2025 - Historic Folsom
Original
About the Image(s)
Another experiment! This was taken during an early morning visit to old historic Folsom on January 3, 2025. The lighting was great and the streets were empty. I was going after window reflections. I was attracted to these oval mirrors in a beauty salon. However, the reflections from across the street made the picture. I'm not sure where the pink squiggles came from, but I loved the tree reflection. Most Christmas decorations were still up on the street, and I think we were getting the reflection of those and the pink ribbons. The store was painted pink (my least favorite color.) While I like the tree and other building reflections, do they make the picture too busy?
Camera XT3
Lens 18 -55 mm, shot at 55 mm
Shutter 1/100
F/8.0
ISO 400
Manual
11 comments posted
Denny Curry
Nice photo. The pink reflection is interesting. I keep looking at this photo and it's messing with my mind! I love that. :)
Posted: 02/01/2025 14:50:05
Posted: 02/01/2025 14:50:05
Thanks Denny! I'm glad that you found the photo interesting and that you love a mind challenge! Posted: 02/01/2025 15:08:14
Yes, I agree. A very interesting image which many people might pass by and not really notice. I don't understand which are the mirrors - the ovals? What are they mounted on? Where were you standing - inside or outside of the salon? Posted: 02/01/2025 18:15:54
Hi Dean, To answer your questions: The mirrors are the ovals that lit up. They are mounted on the wall of the beauty shop and therefore inside. I was standing outside of the salon, photographing through the window. I saw all the reflections and thought WOW! I'm drawn to unusual stuff. The reason I submitted the picture is because it is unusual, and I wanted to know what others thought. The mirrors are about the only things that can be seen from inside the shop. The rest is reflection. Posted: 02/01/2025 18:39:27
Thanks Anne. I think I would have to be there to completely understand the image but it is definitely interesting and impactful. Posted: 02/05/2025 16:51:41
Dean, I came across the full window image I took and I'll send it to you. I think it will put this photo in context. Posted: 02/05/2025 17:02:42
Diana Edelman
Really nice capture. Before reading your description I thought you were looking out from behind some sort of glass or plexiglass with the circular cut-outs.
I would play with the tonal curve sliders to see if that might enhance the overall effect. There is an upward diagonal angle on the mirrors and a reverse one on the horizon. I wonder what difference it would make if you straightened the tree trunk a little to the left, which would level out the horizon a little more while increasing the diagonal angle of the mirrors. That would throw off the already tilting street lamp, however. I would consider removing that element and the diagonal line cutting in front of it on the light itself- maybe part of an awning support or something. All of this is is just to try options- none might ultimately improve anything. Posted: 02/05/2025 20:48:28
I would play with the tonal curve sliders to see if that might enhance the overall effect. There is an upward diagonal angle on the mirrors and a reverse one on the horizon. I wonder what difference it would make if you straightened the tree trunk a little to the left, which would level out the horizon a little more while increasing the diagonal angle of the mirrors. That would throw off the already tilting street lamp, however. I would consider removing that element and the diagonal line cutting in front of it on the light itself- maybe part of an awning support or something. All of this is is just to try options- none might ultimately improve anything. Posted: 02/05/2025 20:48:28
Thanks Diana, I'll look into what you suggested. That might make the reflection look less busy? My goal was just to show the reflection in a window with mirrors already lit up. Anyway, I found the original photo and will post it. Let me know if you think I could have done something else with it. Posted: 02/06/2025 00:37:51
Anne, the original you posted on 2/6 provides more info on what you actually saw. I love that you caught how unusual the scene was and wanted to capture that. I would take out the pink in the main photo as it doesn't seem to fit with the nature scene that the trees present. Finding something different is always a good thing! Posted: 02/20/2025 17:17:08
Thanks Rita. I'm assuming you mean to take out the pink squiggles in the reflection. That won't be easy, but I can give it a try. I'm always on the lookout for something different and love reflections. Posted: 02/20/2025 21:03:54
Hi Rita, It wasn't that difficult. I think I'm just afraid of Photoshop and really don't edit stuff out that much. Anyway, here it is. Thanks for giving me the push. I learned something!! Posted: 02/20/2025 23:44:02