I'm back on the drops again.
Anyone who has followed my photography for a time will know how much I love to play with water … I love how it plays with light … how under the right circumstances it becomes a lens, refracting and playing and changing the world we see into something other … something imaginative. Today I'm talking drop photography. Taking pictures of water is something I work hard at … well perhaps work isn't the right term because I enjoy the process and the journey. There's the setup, which can get fiddly (not to mention wet!), getting the drips just right at a frequency which allows the drops to be singular and not interfere with one another. There's the choice of backdrop … that's the image or pattern you want refracted (remember it will be upside down!). The distance between the backdrop and the drop itself determines how large the pattern will appear in the drop. Too far away and elements of your kitchen begin to appear in your drops π
Below is a behind the scenes shot of the setup I used to take these ones … I even labelled it!
See, you can do this at home in your kitchen!
Using this stripy back drop provides refractions like these…
I'm going to print some of these.
Changing the backdrop to a spotty one produces refractions like these
As I said it's fiddfly and there's lots of variables but it just takes some practice and a reasonable sense of timing little luck … ok and the ability to live with a lot of empty frames … oh and I used the fork in front of the backdrop to focus by holding it in the drop stream and focussing on it … the fork mis good also because you get a feel for the way the drops are falling vertically or slightly off and can vary the focus accordingly.
Next time I set this up I might even do a little video if anyone's interested? Do tell π
Hi Penny and welcome to Pictures with Words π
Thank you!Β It’s really not as hard as it looks but it does require a certain patience π
yes, please do a video!!! π
I’ve thought about doing a video on this stuff for a little while … you’d get to see me all animated-like … I mean lots of attention on the drops and technique π
still LOVE your drop-pictures. the sharpness is incredible!
Thanks Paleica … they are a lot of fun … I stopped doing them for a while because I was afraid of being typecast! LOL π
oh, and what f-stop do you use?
I’d have to check the EXIF but from memory it’s f/8-f/11 These were taken at ISO 200. You can afford a slightly lower shutter speed because you’re using the short duration (~1/4000th second) of the speedlight to essentially freeze the motion.
Well, I'm stunned at your proficiency. The set up is one thing (wow), but the results are another: breathtakingly captivating and engaging. I've longed to try this sort of photo shot. Maybe I'll be inspired by your tenacity to try it SOMEDAY. Meanwhile I marvel at your skill (including the problem solving of just how to set up) and talent.
Thanks Sally … the setup does tend to occupy the kitchen space. You’d likely have this sort of gear yourself and you’ve the shortcut of the setup too … no excuses! π
WOW – HOW INTERESTING IMAGES! I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE!! GREAT STUFF!!! THANK YOU!!
Thanks Mari
The first drop picture is just perfect with its symmetrie. It's beautiful. Also love the second spotted one and wouldn't mind to see some drops in action next time π
No stories today (though it was tempting to add an anectote from a chemists life), just a small final note: Nice new layout, I like it.
The beauty of WordPress … change a layout almost instantly! Thanks V … drops in action? You mean just before they strike the water’s surface?
Well, actually I was just trying to say, in a creative way, that I want to see a video as well. 'Drops in action' opposed to the frozen moment of a picture. But thinking of it, falling drops before or even at the moment of contact would also be nice. Whatever you like π
Aahhh … that makes perfect sense now π
Β
You like the new layout? Thanks π
I think it’s a nice simple change from the previous one … I really need to redesign my main website.
I have a thing for drops but other than taking shots of images that nature provides I haven't tried an indoor setup at all. Love seeing how you create your images . . . as for a video, would love that too. I was trying to decide if I liked the stripped or spotted drops better but I honestly can't choose between the two.
Thanks Kathryn … the video edition has been on my mind for a while now … I thought about recording this edition but was too keen on getting some drop shots π
Magic. And yes please a video would be wonderful.
Perhaps it is because this is such a dry country, but I always appreciate photos of water – in all its forms. And the reflected images in these shots are stunning. Thank you.
It’s precious stuff as well as amazing to look at! Thanks Sue … I’ll make a video (eventually!) π
You're unbelievable, Geoff!!! This is so entertaining AND educational. You rock.
Now I’ve got that EMF track running through my head! I like it π
These are wonderful and work beautifully together, I to would never have the patience for such work.
Thanks … it’s funny I don’t think of it as patience as I guess I’m too ‘in the zone’ to notice the passing of time π
I really enjoy these, and appreciate your sharing your staging secrets. I love the art you find in the infinitesimal.
Thank you π
These are absolutely incredible!! Perhaps – hard work setting up and making it all happen..but definitely absolutely worthwhile!
Thanks Marcie. Looking at the behind the scenes picture there are a few bits and pieces that go into it … they all have to kinda work together too π
lovely pics, but I'm so disturbed by everything else around looking so different. what happened. I'm too old for that much change…. xxx
Yeah sorry about that… you know those times when you look at something and think ‘oh, I don’t like that any more…’? (I kinda think you might) Well, that’s what happened the other night with the blog theme … so I found another, simpler one. The one area that really does need attention is my gallery website … I was (attempting to) show a friend something from the site on my tablet and it was practically unviewable! Not satisfying at all π
x
very nice! cool pic!
Thanks mate! π
Awesome!!! I love how you've highlighted something so simple – that we are infact privvy to on any given day of our lives – but don't notice or consider it!! I've seen some play with water over the years not on a large scale, but your work is outstanding!!! I would most definitely have one of these on my wall – probably in the bathroom where it can be appreciated at length and considered in the right environment!! Brilliant!
Looking forward to seeing more ;o)
Hello there … that has been a long time between posts! A bathroom would be a perfect spot for one of these. Oh there will be more … I can’t seem to stop myself with the watery stuff π
Loved seeing your setup! Had no idea how people shoot these things. I really like how playful these shots are π
Thanks Laura π
To be honest I have no idea how other people shoot their watery droppy pictures … this is just how I arrived at it! I love the play too.
Geoff, these are beautiful! The wobblier ones have such a personality to them with the second from the bottom bearing a resemblance to Munch's Scream. Would love to see the video!
Thanks Patti … I saw the Scream too π
There’s a strange tension about that one.
Wow! Stunning photos of the drop!
Thanks Birgitta π
The drops are all pretty amazing.
Aren’t they? Each one totally unique and utterly transient π