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Selling an item online that you no longer find a use for might seem like a mundane part of life, but that’s not particularly true when it comes to mirrors. It turns out that taking a picture of a reflective object without capturing a funny reflection is nearly impossible. 

As a result, many hilarious pictures of people trying to sell their mirrors keep popping up online. Some have even given up on figuring out how to get out of the way and decided to embrace it, making the process of buying and selling that much more enjoyable for everyone. We’ve collected a list of some of the best (un)intentional accidents, all you have to do to find them is scroll down!

While you’re at it, don’t forget to check out a conversation with commercial photographer Ken Lamb, who kindly agreed to provide us with some pointers for photographing mirrors or any reflective objects, for that matter.

#2

I Don’t Need This Mirror Anymore (The Dog Isn't Included)

I Don’t Need This Mirror Anymore (The Dog Isn't Included)

Alexandro Perez Report

Photographer Ken Lamb tells Bored Panda that he’s no stranger to using mirrors in his photography. "Typically, I use small-sized cosmetic mirrors or a mirror roughly 6" in diameter where I am not photographing the mirror but rather using it to bounce light into a very specific spot on a product or into a small still-life scene. In this use-case the most challenging part is having a mirror the correct size and concave versus convex to focus light exactly where I want.”

#4

Angry Dog Is Angry At Mirror

Angry Dog Is Angry At Mirror

reddit.com Report

The concave mentioned by Lamb is a surface that is curved inward like a bowl, while the convex is curved outward like a sphere, so it's thicker in the middle and thinner at its edges. The concave diffuses the light and allows for a broader field of view, while the convex focuses light at one focal point and can bring faraway objects into focus, which results in magnified and clearer images.

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#8

That's One Way To Hide Your Identity

That's One Way To Hide Your Identity

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It seems that not only online mirror sellers are struggling to avoid unwanted reflections, but so are professional photographers. Lamb explains that it’s just the basic laws of light and reflection. To explain this better, he kindly shared with us his recent observation of a known brand. “I recently saw a photograph by a large-name brand for some chrome-plated stainless steel cookware, and we could see in the reflection not only the camera and various things in the studio but also the assistant wearing a red shirt holding a piece of whiteboard for fill light. This is a completely amateur mistake.”

#10

I'm Relieved That The Masked Guy Is Not Included

I'm Relieved That The Masked Guy Is Not Included

facebook.com Report

#11

Facebook Marketplace Never Ceases To Impress Me

Facebook Marketplace Never Ceases To Impress Me

Timely-Ad9330 Report

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Karen Krause
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay Jr., I need you to hold the sign, but I don't want you in the picture.

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He further explains how to avoid it, “The key to photographing reflective objects is to remember the basic Angle of Incidence = Angle of Reflection rule. Think of the point of view of the subject, what does IT see?

In the example of a chrome kettle, it will see almost everything in the studio because it is most likely round in shape. An example of a knife blade is easier because it only sees one plane of reflection. The angle of the reflective surface to the camera is the same angle where you need to place a piece of white card—this is what is seen from the object’s perspective relative to the camera."

#15

Something From My Area

Something From My Area

Monica Cook Report

He also encourages anyone who photographs to think about lighting, what they wear, and how they position themselves. “Then, as far as lighting goes, we light the white card, not the object. This will provide a nice soft gradient as it is reflected by the camera. 

Another tip is to only wear black clothing when photographing reflective objects, or any studio work for that matter. Last, pay attention and do the work in Post. If you can position the camera and reflection of yourself in the black or darkest area of reflection, you can simply paint out the details of that reflection in Photoshop.”

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#17

When I First Saw This, I Thought It Was An Artist Doing An Edgy Self Portrait

When I First Saw This, I Thought It Was An Artist Doing An Edgy Self Portrait

craigslist_mirrors Report

#18

What A Great Demonstration

What A Great Demonstration

ET0987654321 Report

When photographing a mirror, Lamb believes its reflection can be used as an advantage. “Let’s say a person is shooting a large wall-sized mirror to be used as home decor, say in a living room. The mirror itself is not that interesting, but what it reflects can be interesting. Use this to an emotional advantage.”

#19

When You Need To Use The Restroom But This Mirror Won't Sell Itself

When You Need To Use The Restroom But This Mirror Won't Sell Itself

Jivon Rodriguez Report

#20

People Selling Mirrors Are The Best

People Selling Mirrors Are The Best

wafflegallery Report

For more professionally creative photography, he suggests, “Perhaps in the reflection of the mirror we see a couple nearly off camera right who is dancing or a family celebrating a birthday or zoom in close and is a person dressed up before attending a luxury event. Or perhaps in a dressing mirror placed in a bedroom.

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The scene of the bedroom and where the mirror is placed stay constant; then, photograph the different scenes it is reflecting to show the persistence of time because a mirror this size is generally only bought once in a lifetime. A simple mirror could tell an amazing story, should you allow it to do so.”

Thanks to photographer Lamb, we are now truly equipped to photograph mirrors and all sorts of reflecting surfaces. All it takes is a couple of basic rules, a light, and a finessed angle.

And if the brilliant photography on this list leaves you wanting more, you can head on over and check out nature captured in mirror reflections or mirrors being transformed into unique works of art.

#25

I Just Came Across This On My Facebook Marketplace

I Just Came Across This On My Facebook Marketplace

Maryam Elizabeth Clay Report

#26

Mirror For Sale. But Does It Come With The Giant Foot Boots?

Mirror For Sale. But Does It Come With The Giant Foot Boots?

just_leave_it Report

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lasagne of death
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those are their actual feet. The mirror slants around the edge, making it look like that (I think)

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#29

Even Ghosts Are Selling Their Stuff Nowadays

Even Ghosts Are Selling Their Stuff Nowadays

Anoushka Gonsalves Report

#30

Marketplace Mirror For Sale

Marketplace Mirror For Sale

Major_Thom13 Report

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Senjo Krane
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

freaky how each mirror has a different reflection. I would have thought you would have one but broken up..

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#32

It’s A Two-Person Job

It’s A Two-Person Job

Foolwithaguitar Report

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nomnomborkbork
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One to hold the phone, one to push the shutter, both faces out of picture. I wonder how long it took to achieve perfect alignment!

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#33

Found In The Wild

Found In The Wild

instant_soop Report

#34

I Would Picture That Face Every Time I Looked In The Mirror

I Would Picture That Face Every Time I Looked In The Mirror

Samantha Knapp Report

#39

What An Interesting Collection

What An Interesting Collection

Maxthesax Report

#40

She Definitely Thought She Was Safe

She Definitely Thought She Was Safe

yodobaggins Report

#44

I Can’t Wait 30 Seconds For The Naked Person To Get Out Of The Reflection, I Need To Get This Mirror Sold

I Can’t Wait 30 Seconds For The Naked Person To Get Out Of The Reflection, I Need To Get This Mirror Sold

starelae Report

#46

Big Brain Marketing

Big Brain Marketing

reddit.com Report

#49

A Mirror That's Never Shy About Showing Off Your Best Angles

A Mirror That's Never Shy About Showing Off Your Best Angles

Nick McNamara Report

#51

He Needs The $15 To Fuel His Catnip Addiction

He Needs The $15 To Fuel His Catnip Addiction

reddit.com Report

#52

A Good Dog Selling A Mirror On The Facebook Marketplace

A Good Dog Selling A Mirror On The Facebook Marketplace

littleblackwienerdog Report

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#53

It's All About Teamwork

It's All About Teamwork

facebook.com Report

#54

What If I Just Want The Dog Though?

What If I Just Want The Dog Though?

facebook.com Report

#55

Found In The Marketplace Today

Found In The Marketplace Today

Dogbowlthirst Report

#56

Little Facebook Marketplace Find

Little Facebook Marketplace Find

V-SAF Report

#58

It Takes 2 People To Sell One Mirror

It Takes 2 People To Sell One Mirror

troubleO7 Report

#59

Person Masters The Art Of Taking A Picture Of A Mirror Without Being Seen In The Reflection

Person Masters The Art Of Taking A Picture Of A Mirror Without Being Seen In The Reflection

DarthVaderino Report

#60

Peek-A-Boo

Peek-A-Boo

withanEY Report

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#62

I Would 100% Buy This Mirror Just Because Of The Dog's Reflection. Too Cute

I Would 100% Buy This Mirror Just Because Of The Dog's Reflection. Too Cute

Kimberly Martin Report

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#63

Mask Matches The Mirror I Guess

Mask Matches The Mirror I Guess

Megan Egan Report

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me McG
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Strike one: It's clearly daytime. Strike two: His reflection is in the mirror.

#67

No Way To Hide From This Mirror

No Way To Hide From This Mirror

SellingAMirror Report

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Glen Ellyn
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I could never own something like this. Always some kind of movement would be seen out of the corner of my eye. 😬

#70

The Squad Selling Mirrors

The Squad Selling Mirrors

Practical_Platypus_2 Report

#71

Found On Local Marketplace, Looks Like A Painting Of A Neighborhood At First Glance

Found On Local Marketplace, Looks Like A Painting Of A Neighborhood At First Glance

LeopardusMaximus Report

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#73

Dogs Are Always The Best Sellers

Dogs Are Always The Best Sellers

Bryan Nguyen Report

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#74

My Friend's (Male) Motorcycle Mirrors Are For Sale On Facebook

My Friend's (Male) Motorcycle Mirrors Are For Sale On Facebook

CrimbusIsOver Report

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Colt Winkler
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

needed to specify male or else the image would get Bored panda-ified

#76

Doggo

Doggo

Kylearean Report

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Karen Krause
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The animals look like their mad their owners are selling their friends.

#77

Big Mirror, Tiny Legs

Big Mirror, Tiny Legs

yodobaggins Report

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#78

Creative Covering

Creative Covering

pizzerlady Report

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#79

Rock Out

Rock Out

Darren Pinkney Report

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#80

This Good Boy Just Wants You To Buy His Mirror. I Found It On My Local Facebook Marketplace

This Good Boy Just Wants You To Buy His Mirror. I Found It On My Local Facebook Marketplace

DrCoachNDaHouse Report

#81

One Way To Hide Your Face

One Way To Hide Your Face

Katlynn Grubaugh Report

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#82

The Mirror Has An Arm Of Its Own

The Mirror Has An Arm Of Its Own

reddit.com Report

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#83

Hiding From The Ghost Of The Self

Hiding From The Ghost Of The Self

craigslist_mirrors Report

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#86

Another Great Hider

Another Great Hider

Anhapus Report

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#87

Someone Turned Reflection Detail To Their Minimum Settings

Someone Turned Reflection Detail To Their Minimum Settings

cman334 Report

#88

Two Mirrors, One Beard

Two Mirrors, One Beard

reddit.com Report

#90

Photograph Me Like Those French Girls

Photograph Me Like Those French Girls

GenazaNL Report

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#91

Power Stance Enabled

Power Stance Enabled

DarthVaderino Report

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SparkDragon
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why are so many people missing items of clothing‽ If only they had checked in a mirror before taking the picture!

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Captain Kyra
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What clothing is missing? They have a long shirt with shorts barely peeking out.

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#93

Great Shot

Great Shot

Lee_John_of_Doom Report

#94

Smooth Hiding

Smooth Hiding

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#95

Now This Is Just Great Form

Now This Is Just Great Form

yodobaggins Report

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#96

Perfect Form 10/10

Perfect Form 10/10

Michael Davidson Report

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#97

Mirror With Unique Cracked Look

Mirror With Unique Cracked Look

PM_Pics_of_ur_pups Report

#98

It Took Me Longer Than It Should’ve To Figure Out What Was Going On

It Took Me Longer Than It Should’ve To Figure Out What Was Going On

Eduardo Oliveros Report

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#99

Now, That’s How You Sell A Mirror. I Guess

Now, That’s How You Sell A Mirror. I Guess

craigslist_mirrors Report

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#100

It Almost Worked To Not Be In The Frame

It Almost Worked To Not Be In The Frame

SellingAMirror Report

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Mike F
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not usually a big fan of wicker, but this one is kinda cool.

#101

Check Out This Pair

Check Out This Pair

BromineBob Report

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#102

A Jewelry Mirror With Attitude

A Jewelry Mirror With Attitude

Douglas_J_Farthammer Report

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Multa Nocte
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why can't people be arsed to wear their out of house clothes for a photo?

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