Reflection at the edge of sunset - Qurator’s Photo Quest Competition

Hello again, dear Hive photography community!

This post is my submission for the #Qurator’s Photo Quest Competition – Reflection from a Car Window.

When I first saw the theme announced, I honestly considered sitting this one out. It didn’t seem like this is something that I could work with easily—reflections in car windows aren't something I usually photograph, and I wasn’t immediately inspired. But as the week went on, I found myself thinking more and more about it. Where could I go? What sort of scene might create an interesting reflection? And so, what began as uncertainty slowly turned into curiosity.

My first idea was to find a scenic location—somewhere with trees, sky, and natural surroundings—and park a car there to catch the reflection. But most of the beautiful spots I thought of were either inaccessible by car or didn’t allow parking.

I also tried capturing reflections from moving vehicles, but as you can imagine, that was nearly impossible. Frustrated but still determined, I started walking around city streets looking at parked cars, hoping to catch something compelling in their windows.

That’s when things got a little awkward. Just as I was lining up a shot, the owner of the car came out and accused me of trying to steal it! I tried to explain, but the moment felt tense and uncomfortable enough that I seriously considered giving up on the idea altogether.

Later that evening, back at work, I happened to glance out the window and saw two minibuses parked in the lot. Not exactly a picturesque location—but the sky had started to change as the sun dipped lower, and some dramatic clouds were moving in. I decided to give it one last try.

I went outside and began circling the vehicles, watching how the sky reflected in the windows. The setting sun, the soft clouds, the tinted glass—it all began to come together in an unexpectedly beautiful way. I experimented with different angles, close-ups, and wide shots, letting instinct guide me.

In the end, I captured several photos that I genuinely liked. Each one had its own character, shaped by the angle, the curve of the window, and the colors of the sky.

Choosing just one image to submit for the competition turned out to be harder than expected—I kept going back and forth between three of them. I eventually picked the first one, but I’m just as drawn to the second and third.

So I’d love to hear your thoughts—which photo speaks to you the most? Feel free to let me know in the comments!

Thank you so much for stopping by, for supporting my work, and for being part of this creative and inspiring community. This challenge reminded me that even when inspiration feels far away, sometimes all it takes is a shift in light—or perspective—to see something new.