@at888: I can tell everyone before this gets too out of hand that it is one image. @Birdler is right. I just happened to see the guys walking back up the trail while shooting an entirely different shot and noticed the reflection. A couple of tries to get the focus right and the riders in the correct spots and BAM!
@at888: I can't assure you this is an unaltered image, but your assumption is definitely off. The WATER in the puddle isn't in focus, the reflected image of the riders is. At this shallow angle, the distance the reflected light travelled wouldn't be much different than the direct distance, so both could be relatively in focus.
I apologize! It was my initial reaction when I saw the smaller thumb that made me think it looked unreal. @Birdler's explanation makes total sense. Amazing shot!
Think of it this way. If there was no puddle and I shot at f2.8, the foreground would be out of focus and the riders in focus. Simple right? Now let's say I brought a round mirror with me onto the trail and placed it perfectly on the ground at the correct angle so I could see the riders. @Birdler explained that "At this shallow angle, the distance the reflected light travelled wouldn't be much different than the direct distance, so both could be relatively in focus." He is right on the money. If the puddle had been at a slightly different angle or the trail a bit steeper, this photo wouldn't have worked. Just happened to be in the perfect spot at the perfect time and have the right eye to realize what a fine opportunity I had to make something unique.
this is not one image.The reflection in the puddle is is surrounded by an area that is not in focus (taken with a small DOF). You cannot have an image where a small circle of the foreground is in focus with the rest not.....