- Good article on refraction/water drops. Mentions Stop-Down (F/11 to F/18) - KathysPix
- omg, this is SO cool! - nerdcity411
- Wonderful!!<3 - M"
- Like discovery channel says... The world is just AWESOME... Thanks for this tutorial. It makes me wanna get some macro lens too. As I am only using my 18-200 as a macro itself but for flowers or a thing as big as flowers. :D My hats down to you. Thanks. - Duke Sila
How to put pretty stuff in those drops. Tutorial below:
Water Drop Photography Tutorial
Or how to squeeze flowers into those teeny-weenie drops
I have always been drawn to nature and wildlife photography. I love taking my camera way up north to capture images of seldom-seen animals and exotic scenery. Unfortunately, we can’t always plan distant adventures to shoot photographs of moose and northern lights. But we can train our eyes to find the unexpected beauty in our own backyards.
My fascination (some might call it an obsession) with water drops began when I bought a Nikon D200 last summer. Sadly, the lens I wanted was out of stock. There was no way I was going to just look at my camera body while I waited, so I picked up a Nikkor 60mm macro. Through that lens I discovered worlds of complexity hidden within the simplest tiny drops of water.
I’m often asked if the images inside the water drops are real or the product of Photoshop. Let me assure you they are real, and anyone can find them if they know how to look. Simple physics produces these tiny, beautiful and common images. Water is cohesive, it naturally bonds together in the shape of a sphere, and in that shape it functions as a miniature lens that will refract nearby objects. Using that organic lens as seen through your technological lens, will allow you to explore those tiny, complex worlds.
The water drop photos on my stream have been the result of an evolutional process. My most viewed, most faved and most interesting photo (according to flickr) was taken almost by luck, lying flat on my belly using a Diet Coke can as tripod. But after a great deal of trial and error, I’ve come up with a few simple, consistent steps for more easily creating a water drop photograph.
1. Focus
2. Focus
3. Composition
4. Background
1. Focus: No, that's not a typo; focus is listed twice, and for a very good reason. It’s necessary to consider the focus of the water drop itself as well as the focus of the subject displayed within the drop. My initial concern is the water drop itself and the plant on which the drop is located. I like to set my camera to aperture priority to control the depth of field. The trick is to have enough depth of field so the drop and the plant (and maybe some nearby drops) are all in focus, while leaving the background sufficiently blurred so it doesn't compete for attention. I generally use f8 to f10 but I’ll sometimes stop down to f18 if the background does not need as much blur. I also find I get a sharper focus by backing away just a little and cropping the photo, rather than getting as close as possible in an attempt to get maximum magnification.
2. Focus: As seen in the example above, the water drop is in focus as is the image of the flower seen through the water drop, but the flower itself is not in focus. That effect is achieved not by adjusting the camera, but by relying on the water drop to act as a fixed focal lens. In other words, instead of adjusting the camera I adjust the object I want to appear within the water drop. I simply move it back or forward until I've found the clarity of focus I want. Some photos look better with blurred refractions. For the greatest clarity I've found the object should be 3-4 inches behind the water drop. This, of course, may vary if using a different macro lens. Be sure to experiment.
3. Composition: Obviously, the guidelines for good composition apply to water drop photographs. Attention should be given to the Rule of Thirds, to simplicity, to the geometry within the frame, and to all the usual elements of visual composition. It's important to remember, though, when photographing water drops that the very shape of the drop influences compositional decisions. Since the lens of the water drop is spherical (or nearly so), slight adjustments in the camera position…left, right, up, down…can have a radical effect on what is seen within the drop. Again, experiment.
4. Background: If you're working from nature, your control over the background is necessarily limited. You have to work with what you've got. As mentioned earlier, the unique qualities of the organic lens formed by a drop of water allows you to make minor adjustments in the camera position that will have a profound effect on what's seen within the drop. With a few simple props, you can gain better control over the background. For example, I often rely on a large sheet of insulation, which is bright blue on one side. I originally used it to block the wind, but noticed that even on the dreariest of days it can mimic a perfect azure sky.
Other Considerations: Almost every time I set out to take photographs of water drops, I learned something new. There was always some new factor to consider. I learned, for example, I could get bigger, more cohesive and more interesting drops on humid days. I discovered that even the slightest wind could have disastrous effects on macro focusing, as well as on the water drops themselves. I found that very slightly adjusting the exposure (-0.3EV to –0.7EV) would compensate for the natural sheen of the surface of the water drop, keeping it from being somewhat burnt out. Most important, I had to teach myself to remember that because a water drop acts as an organic lens, it presents everything upside down and in reverse (just like a pinhole camera or a large format camera).
So now I’m one of the few people who looks forward to really still, stifling, humid days. And even though my beautiful Nikkor 18-200mm has arrived, I still have my macro on more than half the time. Water drop photos are not only real, but also addicting to try to master.
That's it. That's how it's done. It's as simple as learning how chess pieces move, and just as complex as a game of chess. Good luck and think small.
Comments and faves
luisa_m_c_m_cruz, frazz46, Marc Shandro, cfernan62, and 866 other people added this photo to their favorites.
luisa_m_c_m_cruz (58 months ago | reply)
Thanks for your explanation.
I love your photos.
Stew* (58 months ago | reply)
Great tutorial, thanks!
Greg Adams Photography (58 months ago | reply)
Wow!!! Lovely!
ecker (58 months ago | reply)
Stunning!
Marc Shandro (58 months ago | reply)
You're passion for this subject is inspiring. The results are exalting. The lesson is fascinating! Thanks.
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frazz46 (58 months ago | reply)
What a wonderful write up Steve....this is really nice of you to take the time to do this.........I love your idea of the piece of insulation to add more light....what a great idea..........I too really enjoy waterdrops..and you are soooo right on when you say it's a process of evolution....I know each time I do it..........it's a new learning experience....
I'm just getting into "outside" drops....and my hat it off to you...as the master.......I find them very hard to do.....specially when you're working with fixed plants...you're dealing with uneven ground....the sun....the shade your camera can cast.......specially when you are trying for just that right angle.........it's very challenging...........I find it must easier having a controlled area using the light box.....and you can control your subject and move it around........so.......thank you so much for your tutorial......I do think this is going to get me to try harder for the real natural shots.....and look forward to those rainy days....and fresh showers in the morning..........thank you again.....really enjoyed this visit...!!!!
Your photo has been appraised as a Platinum Photograph
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ruthalice43 (58 months ago | reply)
THIS IS FANTASTIC!
Your KARMA Group
nezza74 (58 months ago | reply)
You make me want to get a better camera! I only have a point and shoot.
Seeing the miniature world up close and personal is great isn't it?
Eden-Lys (58 months ago | reply)
Thanks !
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MariaPoppins [deleted] (58 months ago | reply)
Another fav, thanks for sharing
ali's eyes [deleted] (58 months ago | reply)
I've long admired your water drop photos. So very generous of you to share your tips and insights. Your work is an inspiration! Thank you!
esteve1 (58 months ago | reply)
Preciosa!!!
The Nature Group
Saludos.
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Carlows (58 months ago | reply)
yeah thnks
baby7 (58 months ago | reply)
Excellent and thanks so much!!!
Rescue Dog (58 months ago | reply)
wow !! Great shot !!
Bengt58 (58 months ago | reply)
Thanks for giving us a guidance to do this magical thing.
I appreciate it very much.
barbera* (58 months ago | reply)
Thanks for the tutorial!
The Nature Group
Tennessee_Gator (58 months ago | reply)
this is cool
MerlinsMan (58 months ago | reply)
Steve, it is wonderfully generous of you to present this tutorial. I keep trying to replicate your magnificent water drops. I came sort of close this morning, I think (a wet web posted in my photo stream farm2.static.flickr.com/1252/1092872951_35664 9cc15_o.jpg. If I had already read your tutorial, I'm sure it would have been better.
Thank you my friend.
(simmi) (58 months ago | reply)
beautiful shot! and thank for you for the tutorial!
alonsodr (58 months ago | reply)
Amazing colours, my friend
Another piece of art!
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rutchee (58 months ago | reply)
you are very generous,...
much appreciated effort ..!
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Anna_Greece [deleted] (58 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Macro Photos (NO LIMITS), and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
You are MY WINNER!
Please add this photo to
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bazzinator (58 months ago | reply)
Great stuff, Steve! Thanks for the thorough explanation! It's fun to look through your stream and see you master this technique--experimenting with backgrounds, compositions, etc.. Keep em' coming!
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jessplayen (58 months ago | reply)
Thank you very much for the tutorial. I will definitely try it.
lisaendavy (58 months ago | reply)
It is wonderful! And thank you! :)
Davide L.P. (58 months ago | reply)
great tutorial, and great garden-in-a-drop too!
bravo!
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Dixie Native (58 months ago | reply)
I love these shots and this is one of the best! Thanks for the tutorial.
lolly180 (58 months ago | reply)
Beautiful shot
AZTransplant/Nicki (58 months ago | reply)
Makes me wish I had a macro lens. Thank you Steve! Your water drop shots are spectacular!
Darby & Me (58 months ago | reply)
Thanks for the tutorial. I hope to try it soon! I've heard that a more viscous liquid, such as corn syrup, is easier to work with. Have you tried that?
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Felix Francis (58 months ago | reply)
great shot there!!!!
ecstaticist (58 months ago | reply)
way to spread the love oh brother in refraction...
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martini_lover (58 months ago | reply)
Steve...if only there were more selfless people like you in Flickr...we'd all be great photographers! Thanks for taking time to put out your tutorial. It's a great help! Cheers!
tinkerrrbell (58 months ago | reply)
awesome shot
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Donna Bee Photography [deleted] (58 months ago | reply)
thanks! your work is amazing!
ranzino (58 months ago | reply)
Nice tutorial. Thanks!
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jjoyful1 (58 months ago | reply)
thank you for sharing your hard earned knowledge. I really appreciate that you took the time to write this.
Wonderful_World** (in and out) (58 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called World's Best Dazzling Shots. (please, invited images only), and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
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MistyDays / CB (58 months ago | reply)
yeah---great explanation! I've done a few waterdrop photos, and now I'll take your explanation and go work at it again. Well done! THe photo is nice too. ;-P
Please add this great photo to Nature’s Finest
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Rareimage Photography (58 months ago | reply)
Gorgeous!!!!!!!!!! :)
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penseroso (58 months ago | reply)
superb! water drops are endlessly tempting and challenging . . . and rewarding!
Definitely a winner!!!
You deserve another one.
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Kimberly Dickinson (58 months ago | reply)
Wow!
This is really one of Natures Finest!!>
=Я|Rod= (58 months ago | reply)
Nice view of the world.
Small yet amazing.
The World Through My Eyes
Pink Hibiscus (58 months ago | reply)
Wonderful, I'm amazed!
Definitely a winner!!!
You deserve another one.
Found in www.flickr.com/groups/mywinners/
read4fun2 (58 months ago | reply)
What a great shot; thanks for the tutorial, it will be fun to try!
This is really one of Natures Finest!!>
Carlos Gotay Martínez (58 months ago | reply)
Definitely a winner!!!
You deserve another one.
Found in www.flickr.com/groups/mywinners/
fair enough! (58 months ago | reply)
The photo is fantastic, gorgeus colour!
Many thanks for the tutorial, I love the Water Drop Photography!
foundimagination (58 months ago | reply)
awesome, thanks!
Schooksonruss (58 months ago | reply)
excellent steve!
This is really one of Natures Finest!!>