how i shoot drops

[geodar]

this is how i shoot water drops, start to finish.

 

place a support (box/tin etc) on solid base (table/bench).

put a water container on the support. i use a glass/opaque plastic storage container, this lets light into the water & image. 

fill with water (clear/coloured).

add a penny or other weighted item on the bottom of the container, or make a mark to aim the drops at.

put in a ruler or other item to focus on. focus above the surface of the water.

you may need help from someone while you focus, if you have live view you may be able to do this yourself as you focus.

when happy with the focus point remove the penny/weight and ruler.

add water and food colouring to a jar/jug etc and mix together.

fill a dropper with the coloured liquid and drop a drop into the container of water taking a shot as you do so. the timing will take lots of practice, you can use the frames per second feature on your camera if you have it, this should help in getting a result.

i find using a flash and a shutter release will give better results, however you can use the shutter button on the camera, but is a little more awkward.

a basic desk lamp will give a coloured tint to the images and if it is bright enough will help capture the drop.

it is important that you aim the drops at your mark in the container or you will end up with out of focus drops.

the shutter speeds and other settings depends on what effect you want, trial and error, the same with any lighting you decide upon.

when done adjust in software to finish off the images.

 

geoff

 

 

[Leon]

very informative, the penny in the water to aim at is the bit I have never tried!!

 

cheers