Water Drop Spectrum on DVD

[MarkyLandon]

Quite simple really if you have a tripod, a macro lens, a DVD/CD, some water and a prominent light source.

Position the DVD near a light source. In my photo you can see this was a window from the reflection. Position the camera on the tripod until you get a nice rainbow effect from light refracting off the DVD. This will depend on angle of light soucre to DVD and angle of DVD to camera.

Use a drinking straw (or pipette or similar) with your thumb over one end to dispense some water drops in the way you want them arranged on the back of a DVD or CD in and around the rainbow effect. (clean the DVD first to remove dust)

Shoot in AV mode with a small aperture to increase the DOF to get the whole drop and spectrum in focus and use either the self timer or remote release to take the shot. Due to the small aperture (I used f/22) you'll have slow shutter speeds (unless you're in direct sunlight outdoors) and that makes the tripod and remote relese/self timer necessary to avoid camera shake.

I processed from RSW in Lightroom and increased the clarity, contrast and black slider before sharpening and exporting. I use Timothy Ames's Lightroom plug in "Mogrify" (which is free) from the "Photographers Toolbox" to apply the borders and watermark/signature.

[kgb224]

Outstanding work.Thank you for sharing.

[Rob Necciai]

Wonderful shot - really creative. And, thanks for the setup/information. That gives me some really good ideas.

[dktrpepr]

Awesome shot and such creativity!

Never would have known the light source was a window.

[verdisQUO]

Excellent. Thanks for sharing.

[DuckieLauren]

Wow, really awesome!
I'm going to have to try this sometime! I love it.

[katmd]

cool!!! love water drop shots!

[CaptainNH]

A great shot, thanks for sharing the setup with us too.

[MOmilkman]

Now that is fun! to see the results...
Used my 100mm Macro Lens.
Since all the critters have gone and hid for the winter this made for a good reason to get it out and use it.



Thanks for the inspiration!

[r0gu3]

Originally Posted by MOmilkman

Now that is fun! to see the results...
Used my 100mm Macro Lens.
Since all the critters have gone and hid for the winter this made for a good reason to get it out and use it.

Thanks for the inspiration!

what's wrong with the picture, it's now showing, did you took it out from flickr?