Water Droplet Shots

[photoetic]

I took my first attempt at taking slow-mo water droplet shots the other day with some decent results. I wanted to get other peoples opinions on my final shots, and maybe comment on the overall effect of some of the post processing, setup, framing, lighting, and...which do you prefer?

http://www.photoetic.com/Random%20Photos/DPS%20Forum/Water%20Tower_forum.jpg


Both of these shots had very similar EXIF data, approx:
Aperture: F/2
ISO:800
Exposure: 1/640
Flash: Flash did not fire

These were shot with a 50mm Prime lens, and on the D40 that means manual focus. So I simply locked the focus on the "center" of my frame, and did my best to drop the water there. So if the focus is off, i am aware, and next time i will try to use an autofocus lens. Tweaked the second one in lightroom a bit with a lomo filter.

Also, my lighting was pretty ghetto, we're talking a desklamp in close proximity to the upper lefthand corner of the frame shining down at the water, and a 4-bulb room standing lamp laid down on the couch behind the bowl (back of the frame). This is the reason for using a higher ISO and a wide open aperture, just not enough light for fast enough shutter speeds. Next time, i think i will use the on-camera flash with a homemade softbox attached.

Any and all comments are welcome! Thank you guys! :D

[geotography]

Good work setting this up photoetic. I like that soft effect you got on the concentric ripples. I attempted this once and set the focus on a card with writing on it at the place I anticipated the ascending water droplets. The focus was good but it was sterile looking because I did not add any color. I will probably do it again with red wine someday.

Oh, BTW, you just reminded me, I did use flash to freeze the action.

[photoetic]

Good work setting this up photoetic. I like that soft effect you got on the concentric ripples. I attempted this once and set the focus on a card with writing on it at the place I anticipated the ascending water droplets. The focus was good but it was sterile looking because I did not add any color. I will probably do it again with red wine someday.

Oh, BTW, you just reminded me, I did use flash to freeze the action.

Thank you Geo! Yea, i think this works best with fixed focus and some luck, because with an autofocus lens, its really seems like a crapshoot to get it to focus in something like 1/800th of a second on a falling drop of water. Stopping down the aperture would help with the focus though, although light is also an issue.

Yea, trying it with wine, or milk and coffee, or some exotic colors would certainly make any liquid shots more interesting. This is my first ever attempt, i will surely try again in the future.

And yes, flash seems like a good way to go next time. As you said, it will help freeze the action. Next time for sure!

Thanks Geo, lets see some of your water work now! ;)