Recently I have begun experimenting with falling water droplets. I think I have some candidates suitable for sharing ...
I have included a 'making of' picture for entertainment and/or learning. The liquid is pure tap water, the coloring is turmeric.
Recently I have begun experimenting with falling water droplets. I think I have some candidates suitable for sharing ...
I have included a 'making of' picture for entertainment and/or learning. The liquid is pure tap water, the coloring is turmeric.
What fun Ian! I am totally into fluid photography. And - I am also a member of the "Kitchen Studio Club"! I am thankful for your photo of your set up. I have things like lights balanced on coffee cups, backdrops taped to paper towel holders and a tray of what looks like weird surgeon's tools such as toothpicks, spoons, eye droppers and more sitting next to my tank of water. :)
So first let me say that I really like to colors here. And, I love the flakes in the droplets. That is a cool effect. I love that you are using the wavy surface of the water to the best advantage. These look different than the many droplet images out there. Nice job creating something unique!
I have a few suggestions and questions.
When I first started doing things somewhat like this, I could not get clarity no matter what I tried. I needed to get my speed up but, while everyone kept telling me to use a flash, it is almost impossible to do so without the light reflecting somewhere - particularly in such a tight set up. Now, people are going to reply to this about using diffusers and all the ways they think flashes can work but no matter what I tried, it didn't work. I always had what I came to call the "evil white dot' somewhere in the image. I also tried moving the whole set up outside but the light didn't work for me out there. What I eventually did that worked was moved my set up to a table right next to a bright window, waited for the light to be brightest and used natural light from one side and a side light in a wide silver dome shop light from the other side and no flash. Bingo - I could get the speed where I needed it to be and no evil white dot. I find that if I can't get the speed to be faster than 1/250 and preferably 1/400, I do not get the clarity I want. Maybe others will have other experiences but natural diffuse light is what worked for me.
I also go to the dollar store and buy white paper to put on the table and behind to entire set up to get as much reflected light as possible. These usually get ruined by the end of the shoot so I just toss them and buy $2 in paper again the next time.
As for a question - is there a significance to the markings on the paper behind you droplets? Just curious. I use colored construction paper so I can very the color of my background but I've never used something with a pattern on it.
Also - I don't see a remote shutter release in your set up. Are you manually setting off the shutter directly on the camera? If so, you may be getting some camera shake from that. You might consider a remote. I bought one on eBay for $10 and that helped too.
I am really looking forward to more from you! Again - LOVE the flecks in the water.
:)
Thank you very much for your comprehensive response to my pictures, much appreciated !
Concerning the light, I believe that a flash is really a must. I noticed the dots of light in my image too, some of them belong to the flash, some of them are the reflections of the windows (especially noticeable in the 2nd picture, below the drop). I think you can get rid of the dot - or at least lessen it - by putting the flash behind your subject as seen in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQm-lizptL0
Your question about the background is actually quite funny, because those are plastic drawing templates of my children. Since they are templates, they have holes in them, so I stack them to reduce the holes as much as possible - to create an even background. I have also used felt before, which is handy because it lets light come through and you can reuse it as often as needed. It is also quite cheap.
I sometimes use my phone as a remote shutter (through WIFI), but with speeds of 1/200 and faster, I don't really bother. I can even use my computer as a remote through USB or WIFI - which can be handy for focusing.
The flecks are a - non intentional - side effect of the use of a spice - turmeric - as a colorant.
By the way, these images are substantial crops.
Very interesting Ian!! Great video too. Thanks a bunch. :)
Well done Ian. I like the first one. It's hard to get drop on drop with this technique, but it's not impossible. With the flash you freeze it. If you do another try, give some milk in the cup. You can also use food color in the water.
I have made my first tries with an infusion set. It was easier to control the droplets. Actually I have a little device that controls magnetic vents. I really have to do it again. It's fun!
We'd love to see some! I think fluid work looks simple but it is anything but!
I will show you some of the first try with the infusion set. I lost the images with the device triggered drops, but I planned for long time to do them again. I don't know why I did not take them again... I think times running too fast and I had too many other things to do... ;)