More Water drops
Jul, 2016Views
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo at home in our sunroom. I love trying to take water drop shots and the way in which my surroundings are reflected in the drops. Everyone is different and unique. Every time I take one of these photos it's a new learning experience and I'm always trying to do better.Time
I took this around mid afternoon in the winter time (southern hemisphere) when the light was the best and brightest in that room. Also it was the warmest time of day to be sitting and fiddling with feathers and water drops.Lighting
Lighting is always an issue when trying to capture reflections in water drops. Too harsh a light or a direct light can interfere with the reflection that I'm trying to capture. As I don't have a diffuser I have to rely on natural light and hope for the best.Equipment
I use a Nikon 5300 and with this shot I used my brand new Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G lens. I always use a tripod when doing inside water drops. Sometimes, outside, that's not possible so I turn on the vibration reduction. No flash, just natural indirect sunlight. The feather was on a heavy board that is balanced on a small table in the middle of the room. I like the small table so I can access all sides and rotate it or me to get a different perspective. In the background of this shot I have some really bright Zygo cactus flowers.Inspiration
I love seeing tiny reflected worlds in water drops, I tend to notice things that I may not have seen before. Little details and bits of information that I may have missed or not noticed before. Even though I focused on this little drop, I believe it gives a whole new perspective on what is going on around me and provides a great appreciation for those things. Finding that beautiful feather and the way in which the drops balanced on it was fascinating.Editing
I don't normally do anything to my photos other than crop them and maybe adjust the contrast or balance. I don't really know how to use the programs available. But... I'm going to learn! It's on my to do list along with so many other things about photography.In my camera bag
My Nikon (obviously), kit lens, zoom lens, spare battery and memory card. Depending on where I'm going I will take the macro lens too, but I do find it heavy and I'm paranoid about dropping my bag and breaking something! I'm a very basic sort of person.Feedback
The best advice I can give is give it go! Give yourself time and have the patience to play and learn. Look at using different textures and fluids, they all behave differently and give wonderful and unexpected results. Light is also really important, if it's too dark wait until the day is brighter or you may be disappointed in the results. Being disappointed wont encourage you. Look at the drops from different angles, if you can, turn the subject around and don't forget to look at it from different heights. Take many shots, you will see different things in every one of them. You never know what you can achieve unless you try. Have fun, that's the most important thing.
