Reflections in water

[FiestaRed]

I'm in the process of building a relections pond where I can photograph birds drinking, feeding etc.

Does anyone have any advice as to where the water level (surface) should be in relation to the camera lens? Will I get shorter or longer reflections of the birds if I'm on the same level as the water surface?

Apologies if what I'm asking doesn't make sense but I'm trying to work out what best angle to shoot from.

Any help at all please to save me some extra work.

 

[HoppyUK]

Angle of incidence equals angle of reflection.

In other words, light bounces/reflects off a surface at the same angle it strikes, like a snooker ball off the cushion. Same as a mirror.

 

[FiestaRed]

Thanks for that Richard.

Does that basically mean the nearer I am to the waters surface (low angle) I will get a longer reflection and if I'm looking down on the waters surface (steep angle) I will get a shorter reflection?

 

[HoppyUK]

If the water is smooth, it won't change.

 

[StephenM]

Try putting a small object on a mirror laid on the table and experiment with the camera position to see what gives the effect you want.

 

[jbw]

The camera will be capable of not only detecting light reflected from the surface of the water but also light leaving the body of the water and being refracted (as opposed to reflected) into the lens. Thus the resulting picture will have a reflected image and also an image of anything below the water surface. There is a critical angle beyond which the refracted light is unable to leave the water and air interface - or to put it into plain english if you place the lens so it views a reflection produced by light just glancing off the surface you are less liklely for the resulting image to be mixed up with views from inside the body of the water. Does this make sense?
James

 

[FiestaRed]

Thanks for the help everyone, much appreciated.