Surface Transparency vs Surface Reflection… a communal thread

[Kodiak Qc]

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So, during this wildlife class at the marsh with a photo-club from
Switzerland, the point was brought up and the heat went high:
transparency vs reflection.

Some were seeing transparency as a simple visual gimmick as
others thought it brings unobservable details, relations between
objects or subjects and adds to the information and communica-
sion content of a photograph.

What is your PoV on this and, most important, can you illustrate
by examples.

 

[Kodiak Qc]

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I will use these two transparencies to start…

​

 

[Kodiak Qc]

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I got those two surface reflections of similar subjects…

 

[Nick Owen]

I think you mean 'backlighting' verses 'direct/front lighting' (Your terminology may be confusing the English speakers in this case)

Personally, direct sunlight (behind the camera) I find unattractive in almost every situation. It's harsh and unforgiving and rarely lends atmosphere or 'presence' to any scene. Back lighting (or shooting into the sun) however does mostly the opposite and can create lovely vistas, mood and detail. Especially detail in things like the bird's wing you show above in your example. So 'transparency' as you call it, is the way to go every time.

Personnellement, la lumière directe du soleil (derrière la caméra), je trouve peu attrayant dans presque toutes les situations. C'est sévère et impitoyable et rarement prête de l'atmosphère ou de la «présence» à n'importe quelle scène. L'éclairage arrière (ou le tir au soleil) est cependant le plus souvent le contraire et peut créer de belles vues, de l'humeur et des détails. Surtout des détails dans des choses comme l'aile d'oiseau que vous montrez ci-dessus dans votre exemple. Ainsi, la «transparence» que vous appelez, c'est la façon d'aller à chaque fois.

 

[Kodiak Qc]

Your terminology may be confusing the English speakers in this case

Thanks for that, Peter!

Apparently, you used the same translator as I do and, from
your native speaker text to its French version, I realize the
clumsiness of the translator.

I appreciate the understanding effort you show in your reply,
your kindness recognizing the communication difficulties and
the PoV expressed in your reply!

 

[mrtoad]

i used to use transparencies
but now i have digital...i stick to reflections

seriously??

on reflection though a transparency now and then is useful..it can let us see what the light source is...which can be quite the thing
the reflection school probably own big strobe guns and have studied portraiture
Geof

 

[sk66]

The problem with transparency is that in order to "reveal" anything the subject must have translucency... otherwise you only get shadows.

I managed to get both qualities in this shot of an Egret.


High Key Egret by Steven Kersting, on Flickr

 

[mrtoad]

The problem with transparency is that in order to "reveal" anything the subject must have translucency... otherwise you only get shadows.

I managed to get both qualities in this shot of an Egret.


High Key Egret by Steven Kersting, on Flickr

Swot,
but which amplifies the whole argument
both can occur
cheers
geof