water drop in the fryin' pan!!

[7701mistyc]

k, not sure if this is considered macro, since i do not have a macro lens... but anyways, I am just now learning to use manual mode. I took this picture on my canon eos rebel xsi with my 18-55mm lens in semi manual mode, where i set the ss, but the f-stops are set automatically. I can't believe it took me this long to understand what shutter speed is (which i think is how fast the camera takes the picture , but also lets in very little light) -my understanding.... hopefully that's kinda right! but i still need to figure out f-stops..I know i still need to work on my focusing with these pics, but how do you get more light to the picture? (i made the flash come on, but something still doesn't seem right). Also, the second picture was with no flash, and the others were with the flash, why does the flash put the pretty blues in it, and just make it look sooo much better? Any help would be greatly appreciated!! thank you! Misty

F-stop- 5.6
Exposure Time -1/200 sec.
ISO-1600
focal length- 55mm
metering mode- pattern

[Gulpa]

It turned out really nice. I'd suggest that you adjust the focus next time so it's centered at the line of the drops.

I read here somewhere the idea someone had. Take a ruler and place it in the line where the water will drop and then adjust your focus on the ruler.

[7701mistyc]

Great Idea!! Thank you..

[*Irma]

Hi,

I have tried this kind of pictures already and my experience about this is that the faster you can have your shutter speed the better, The more flash units you can use the better. Then you will need to use HSS (high speed sync) mode in your flash/camera which will give you the chance to shoot faster than 1/200sec and freeze the movement which is basic to have sharp falling droplets. The height from the water is falling also is important if it has to run a long way to the surface you will need a faster shutter speed. So it is best to keep it closer. You might use a string kind of thin rope closer to the surface.

Along with the advice of the focus you got in previous post, I would suggest to take your picture from a lower angle. So more dropplets will be in focus. And if you go a bit more sophisticated you can use glycerin in the water. This will give a better shape to the droplets.

Hope this is helpful.

Irma.

[7701mistyc]

Very helpful!! Thank you!!