@craigslist_mirrors/INSTAGRAM

Is it a ghost or a shy mirror photographer?

In the age of the selfie, people have perfected the art of posing in front of mirrors for Instagram pictures. However, when it comes to taking a picture of an image on it's own...the results are mixed.

As Twitter user @SilviuMajor pointed out in a viral tweet, it's a lot harder than you might think to photograph a mirror to sell online without capturing an awkward reflection. 

From floating phones to posing pets, here are some of the best mirror photography fails:

FLOATING PHONES

Some self conscious photographers have gone to great lengths to as much of their bodies out of the shot as possible. This has led to thousands of amusing TradeMe and Ebay photos of reflected hands and phones poking out from behind doors or from the bottom of a mirror. 

One camera-shy photographer thought the best way to disguise his or herself was to throw a sheet over their body. Unfortunately for them, the sheet has done nothing to focus potential buyers attention on the mirror they are trying to sell.

READ MORE:
* Mirrors lighten a space, and double as art. What's not to love?
* On reflection: Looking at how to make the most of mirrors
* 15 mirrors that satisfy more than vanity

FOOT PHOTOGRAPHY

This amateur mirror photographer with very flexible toes took their floating phone picture to the next level by taking a photo of their mirror using their foot. 

POSERS

Unlike the previous examples, some photographers seem to not have any issues about being caught in their mirror photo.

Some appear to pose in for the camera, such as the man who has taken a picture of his mirror while lounging on what appears to be either bold green carpet or astroturf.

POSING PETS

Some mirror-sellers even featured their furry friends - either on purpose or in defeat after failed attempts to keep them out of the shot - in their photographs.

It appears this man thought that is he couldn't manage to photograph his $10 mirror without being in frame, he might as well include his furry friend in. 

ODD ADDITIONS

While looking through mirror listings online, it becomes clear that many sellers have not realised - or simply cared - about what was going on in the background while they took their picture. 

This has led to some very interesting pictures, including some featuring unnecessary stationery, unmade beds and towering piles of clutter that reveal the photographer to be in need of a declutter.

TEAMWORK

Photographing can be hard work. So, rather than attempting to photograph the item on their own, some mirror sellers have enlisted family and friends to help get the perfect shot...with varying degrees of success.

 - Homed