Simple water droplet tutorial (No extra gear)

[PowerPix]

Items needed:
Water
Glass dish
Colored plate (or other colored surface)
Colored Index card (or other colored surface)

Camera Settings for both shots:
Manual
Manual focus
Shutter 1/250
Aperture f/5.6
Focal length 55mm
ISO 100
On-camera flash

These were shot in my kitchen sink and the water only had to fall about 6".
I found that manual focus works better than auto. If you use auto it keeps searching for a place to focus.

Step 1.
I placed the plate with the colored side facing up. This is what adds color to the bottom of the droplets -- my plate was yellow. You can use anything with color, I just so happened to have a plate.

Step 2.
I took my glass dish filled to the rim with water and set it on top of my plate. This is a regular glass baking dish which is approx. 3" deep. The dish needs to be glass because all of the reflections and color are produced by it.

Step 3.
Held a colored index card behind the rim of my dish to where it filled the frame. Turned on the faucet to whatever speed I wanted the drops falling and started shooting. That's it!

There are more on my Flickr page. Have fun! Check out my other tutorials that may be of interest which require no extra gear | Simple Smoke Photography | Ultra Easy Freelensing | Action |

[generoc]

nice job! Nice write up! Very simple!

[snoopysmum]

I have tried this a few times but my drops are always blurry. I'm going to give it another go tomorrow.

[FrancoisM]

@PowerPix:
Very concise tutorial. Great job.

@snoopysmum:
open the faucet and see where the drops are entering the water.
Put a pen, a stick, something alike right where the drops are then manual focus on your pen, stick ...
You may need an extra hand to hold the pen while you focus.

HTH

Francois.

[photofun]

Great shots - love all the color!

[RllyDrvrIX]

I will try this!

[paulafankhauser]

this was soooo much fun to try! thanks for sharing!

[Veronicah]

I have been itching to try this, and this is such a simple explanation. Thanks so much! Will hopefully get a chance to try it tomorrow.

[Dtodd7506]

Mine didn't turn out QUITE as good..lol but it was an attempt! I think I may know a way I can get a better shot & will probably try again! Unfortunately...my sink is not the easiest to work with! lol.

[audrey-g]

you have done a great job! great tutorial. your pics are beautiful. many thanks for sharing