The end results (some of which you are seeing here) are really cool, but it took a ton of images and trial and error to get these keepers. I took almost a thousand images with my Canon 5D Mark II in burst mode, hoping to get the water droplets in the right moment of action.
In many of the images, I had either no drops of water or nothing of interest in the frame. In others, I had the drops of water but they were out of focus or lit incorrectly.
You will notice that each image has a different color reflection in the water. I was pointing the camera at the bowl of water, but I was trying different pieces of wrapping paper in the background (and pointing the flash at the paper) to get fun reflections off the water.
In the shot above, I actually moved one of my wife's potted plants behind the bowl of water. The green and purple that you are seeing in the water is a reflection of the leaves and flowers. For all of these images, I used the Sigma 150mm macro lens.
Sometimes I would catch one drop of water coming down (from the plastic bag suspended above the bowl) and other times I would catch multiple drops.
It is amazing how beautiful water drops are. I was amazed at the shapes and patterns that I captured with the camera. All frozen at 1/200 sec using the flash to freeze the action.
You will notice that I changed the angle of my camera to get different looks. In the close-up shot (2 above) I was shooting almost directly across the water. In this last image, I was shooting from above, looking down at the water. In this image, the ripples were caused by a preceding drop and then this drop was just about to impact the same spot.
As I look back at all these images, it is hard to believe that I was using clear water. It looks like I used color additives or Adobe Photoshop, but trust me, this was all reflected colors.
Those are great! That looks really fun. I never really thought about what it takes to get a shot like that. I think I like the second-to-last one best--it looks like another planet.
ReplyDeleteWhat was your aperture setting, if you don't mind me asking?
I shot everything at either f8 or f7.1 using a couple of different lenses, mainly using the Sigma 150mm Macro Lens.
ReplyDeleteHi Jeff,
ReplyDeleteFirst class pictures and top photography...you have lots og great shots...Congrats:))
Best,
Naseer
Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful Jeff. Hope you and the family are well!
ReplyDeleteAmazingly Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love it! I was wondering if you could do the same thing on PhotoShop and if so do you know how?
ReplyDeleteThis would have to be done in camera and not in Photoshop. (Of course, almost anything COULD be done in Photoshop, but it would be difficult). :)
ReplyDeleteHi Jeff, my name's Natalie, I'm doing shoots just like this for my A2 photography project, I only have a 1000D to work with but I have access to a studio, i really love these shots, they are amazing, and i love the wrapping paper idea.
ReplyDeleteI was just wondering at what sort of angle did you have the camera in relation to the bowl, to avoid shooting the bowl, or the walls/floor around it, i'm struggling to get a shot that looks like only water is in the frame, and was wondering if you could help me!
would be much appreciated!
Natalie, I shot the images from approximately 45 degrees or even less. I zoomed in to avoid the edges of the pan.
ReplyDeleteAll of your water drops are really inspirational! Is it alright if I use one of your pictures for my blog, if I give you credit?
ReplyDelete