Drip, drip, drip (or how to take photographs of water droplets)
Despite appearances this is actually one of the easiest techniques to master.
Equipment needed – flashgun (built in will do at a pinch), tripod, kitchen tap … that’s it!
Fill the kitchen sink till the water is nearly overflowing (so that you can mount your camera at near water level). Use a long lens (the longest macro in your bag will be ideal, a telephoto is a good substitute). Set the camera on a tripod at near water level. Then set the tap to drip very slowly. Hold the flashgun off the camera – 45 degrees or so works nicely. And just fire away. You are aiming to catch the moment when the water droplet hits the water, or just before, or just after. Almost all of the shots will be nice in one way or another. That’s it!
Opinion is divided about whether you want to photograph in low lighting so the flashgun does all the work or to have some ambient light in there too. I took the example below in the middle of the day with lots of ambient light. I used a gel filter on the flash to get the gold colour on the water and the ambient light mixes in some of the colour from my stainless steel sink rather nicely I think.
I probably should have used a lower ISO – click on the picture below to see the full size image in all its grainy glory.
Photographic notes: Nikkor 105mm macro, f32, 1/60s, SB-800 with orange gel filter, ISO 1000, D700. Here for full EXIF and more details
Interesting and encouraging. Perhaps now I’ll tackle this long standing ‘to-do’ list member. Is it possible to request this article be taken further say into back ground colours, focusing tips and effects? Can’t wait to continue thru this site!