"Lights, Camera, WATER, Action!" My 1st Attempt at this...

[Todd Ovick]

My first attempt at this....


A little bit of setup involved and i would consider it a success because I didnt drop my flash in the pan of water!
<div>let me know what ya think...</div>
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<div>5DII 430EX @ 1/16 power bounced, 70-200L IS with 25mm extension tube.</div>
<div>F/9, 1/200, ISO 100.</div>
<div>Converted from RAW with adjustments in PS</div>
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<div>Happy New Year!</div>
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<div>Todd</div>
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[ddt0725]

Fantastic! You would never guess this was a first attempt! I can

[Todd Ovick]

Thanx Denise,



I can't remember how many times I have attempted to try to do this with absolutely no success!


I just follow the tutorial provided from the strobist blog here ("http://strobist.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-to-photograph-water-drops-with-one.html).


I guess its up to me to get more creative now.


i.e. food coloring, 2% milk, multiple flashes, ect. ect.


Todd

[Todd Ovick]

Another shot from today......


Thanx for looking,


Todd





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[Pieter]

I love them, they look pretty nice. I also viewed the tutorial, it looks indeed rather simple, I really should buy a flash transmitter and try it myself some time..

[ddt0725]

Another nice one!


Thanks for the link, Todd ...maybe I

[Colin500]

These look really good, make me want to try something similar ;-)


Happy Splashing, Colin

[bob williams]

Ok Todd, You have me interested. Today, I was home alone, rain, wind and sleet outside; so what is one to do? Let's play in the water. Here is my first attempt at this: Sorry, no frames.


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All shots taken with 7D, 24-105L @105mm w/25mm extension tube-Also the first time I have used the extension tube. ISO 100, F9, 1/250th. Flash set @ 1/16th Manual triggered with pocket wizard.


Thanks for the motivation Todd

[Todd Ovick]

Well done Bob!


I like the camera angle you had on these.


I'll have to get me some of those remote triggers.


I was using an off shoe camera cord and it kept pulling my flash towards the pan of water[:@]


Todd

[bob williams]

I was using an off shoe camera cord and it kept pulling my flash towards the pan of water/emoticons/emotion-12.gif



Well, I didn't have that problem, but I was shooting out of a stainless steel sink and the reflectiion of of the edge of the sink killed me. I eventually hung a dark colored towel over the edge of the sink and into the water and that helped a great deal.---

[Jayson]

When I attempted this I used a glass baking dish and hung the dripping bag from the cabinets above. Try placing some pictures or colored paper as the backdrop and shooting your strobe at that. Makes for some colorful reflections also. Great attempts everyone. Keep shooting.

[bob williams]

Here are a few more from my second round. This time I used a blue enamaled roasting pan to hold the water, which was an error because you can see the little sparkles in the water.


Shot settings are all the same.


This first shot is how I focus the shots. This is a meat thermometer turned upside down in the pan and place where the drops are falling---then I just manuallyfocus on the tip of the thermometer. Once removed, the water drops should be in focus.


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[JJphoto]

nice! Bob, you learn fast


it will be more interesting to see if you can put something interesting in the drops(reflection)

[bob williams]

JJ, You have challenged me and it is one that I will gladly accept--Just one problem: I had everything setup in my "wife

[Todd Ovick]

Bob,


The meat thermometer is a great idea!


JJ's suggestion of an image reflected into a water drop also sounds challenging.


I am going to try that as well.


Here is a website you might find inspirational.


http://www.liquidsculpture.com/index.htm ("http://www.liquidsculpture.com/index.htm)


Todd

[bob williams]

Here is a website you might find inspirational.


http://www.liquidsculpture.com/index.htm ("http://www.liquidsculpture.com/index.htm)



Thanks Todd, This site definitely gives me some ideas and inspiration---Wow, what this guy can do with a drop--Incredible.


Thanks again,


Bob

[JJphoto]

Now, for your request, what would you like in the water drop?


I don't know, Bob, I don't know how hard it is going to be, but what about a cat's face or a fish is easier?[:D]

[bob williams]

Now, for your request, what would you like in the water drop?


I don't know, Bob, I don't know how hard it is going to be, but what about a cat's face or a fish is easier?/emoticons/emotion-2.gif
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Easier? Lets see; Water+flash+Cat=trip to the ER, But a challenge is a challenge---Actually, this would be pretty cool if I can pull it off. Thanks for the idea JJ.

[freelanceshots]

What brand of extension tube are you guys using and how much did they cost?

[bob williams]

What brand of extension tube are you guys using and how much did they cost?
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I have the Canon 25mm II version that my wonderful wife bought me for Christmas--so no real experience with them. I am very happy with it;it easily mounts and dismounts and the electronics work as they are supposed to. I thinkB&amp;H lists it at$139. Ihave read that many people are also happy with theKenko set which issimilarly priced for a set of 3 extension tubes.Regardless---I now fully realize the advantages of having an extension tube with these waterdrop shots I have been playing with---


Hope this helps,


Bob

[Todd Ovick]

What brand of extension tube are you guys using and how much did they cost?
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I have the Canon 25mm II version that my wonderful wife bought me for Christmas--so no real experience with them. I am very happy with it;it easily mounts and dismounts and the electronics work as they are supposed to. I thinkB&amp;H lists it at$139. Ihave read that many people are also happy with theKenko set which issimilarly priced for a set of 3 extension tubes.Regardless---I now fully realize the advantages of having an extension tube with these waterdrop shots I have been playing with---


Hope this helps,


Bob






Ditto.

[freelanceshots]

If you could do it over again would you still do the Canon 25mm over the Kenko 12, 20, 36mm set? Seems like a pretty big advantage that you can stack them to get even more magnification. Extension tubes seem like a must have if you really want to get in close even with a dedicated macro lens.

[Richard Lane]

This technique looks really cool! I would love to try this some day.


Rich

[bob williams]

If you could do it over again would you still do the Canon 25mm over the Kenko 12, 20, 36mm set? Seems like a pretty big advantage that you can stack them to get even more magnification. Extension tubes seem like a must have if you really want to get in close even with a dedicated macro lens.
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Yes, but for no other reason than I just try and stick with Canon Products.


Bob

[bob williams]

Now, for your request, what would you like in the water drop?


I don't know, Bob, I don't know how hard it is going to be, but what about a cat's face or a fish is easier?/emoticons/emotion-2.gif
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Ok, JJ---This isn't exactly what I had in mind--but it will have to do for now--I have spent way to much time on this project this weekend--But I will try again in the near future. This is actually a lot of fun, not only the from a photographic and lighting standpoint, but also some of the garage engineering it takes.


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[HDNitehawk]

I am impressed Bob, very nice


How many scratches did you get from the cat?

[JJphoto]

Oh my God! you really did it!!! today?!, I thought it might take couple of days or maybe it's too hard to get. now here you go!


range from 1-10, how hard do you think it was? I would say 11 because I have no any idea how you did this![Y][Y][Y]


can you do a cat eating fish? just kidding![:D]


BTW, I really beleve that you were so focused on this project, because you seem like have not noticed that I have already got my new 500mm 4.0 yet.[:D]

[Todd Ovick]

Nice Bob!


I spent a few hours today on it as well.A photograph of a gerbera daisey i took for the reflection. What a challenge!


I got some ideas out of it for next time....


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[bob williams]

No Scratches, But I did use two roles of ducktape and 9 tie wraps [6]


Seriously, its just a photo of my cat (cut out) and taped to the back drop.

[bob williams]

can you do a cat eating fish?


I would have to make a bigger bubble[*-)]






BTW, I really beleve that you were so focused on this project, because you seem like have not noticed that I have already got my new 500mm 4.0 yet./emoticons/emotion-2.gif



Wow, Congrats and I'm Jealous, For some reason, I thought you already had one.


Bob

[HDNitehawk]

Seriously, its just a photo of my cat (cut out) and taped to the back drop.





You shouldn't give away your trade secrets. I would have never known.

[bob williams]

Very Nice Todd, But I see you and I had similar problems with the "object" in the bottom half of the bubble--I have a couple of ideas to correct this that I am going to try--if they work, I will gladly share. If you resolved this, please share your secrets.


Nice shots by the way.


Bob

[JJphoto]

very nice job too Todd!


I guess I got some ideas from your pictures, are the images in the drops the reflections of the back ground?

[Todd Ovick]

very nice job too Todd!


I guess I got some ideas from your pictures, are the images in the drops the reflections of the back ground?





Thanxs JJ


yes, i bounced the flash off the background image.


in the first shot you can see my flash in the top bubble as i had it too close to the image.


I need to soften up my flash(s) a bit.

[JJphoto]

thanks Todd for your reply.


I got really exited and can't wait to see you guys' new shots with new ideas.

[Todd Ovick]

But I see you and I had similar problems with the "object" in the bottom half of the bubble


Bob,


yes i was a bit discouraged with that. I think it all has to do with the position of the water drip in relation to the image and where the flash is bounced off of.


my 1st shot almost had the image even in the bubble. i had my camera angled up slightly for that one. I was using a clear pyrex casserole pan.



I have a couple of ideas to correct this that I am going to try--if they work, I will gladly share. If you resolved this, please share your secrets.


I am going to sleep on it and will try again. I will let ya know if i figure it out.


BTW,...i used your meat thermometer technique and it works really well!


Todd

[Todd Ovick]

I got really exited and wait to see you guys' new shots with new ideas.


JJ,


Its a real fun indoor photo project, especially here in Minnesota on those extremely cold days...


Todd

[nickds7]

Decided to give it a go. Got a keeper pretty early on. Thanks for the enlightenment!
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5204/5315109510_3b707b5a2f_z.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickslater/5315109510/)

1/250th f/8.0 iso-100 70mm

[Todd Ovick]

Nick,


Nice one! I

[Todd Ovick]

If you could do it over again would you still do the Canon 25mm over the Kenko 12, 20, 36mm set


Freelanceshots,


Yes i probably would do the kenko set. As brian said in his review, kenko air is just as good as canon air.


I would be interested to see some results from using an extension tube with a "true" macro lens and what type of difference it would make.


Todd

[nickds7]

Thanks! I Wish I had my 100mm macro still, It would be crazy to get so close it felt as if you were inside the splash.. though it would involve many cleanings of uv filters and many reshots

[Andy Stringer]

I'm a bit late to the party, but I've been away visiting family. I've been keen to try this over the last few days, inspired by the good workand inventiveness of those who gave it a go. I finally got my chance tonight. Here are my top three:

[/URL]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5044/5321613393_64998fb642_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/apstringer/5321613393/)
1D Mark IV, EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM, 1/250s, f/14, ISO 100, 580 EXII Speedlite @ 1/16 on camera

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5088/5321615177_f798688dd0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/apstringer/5321615177/)
1D Mark IV, EF 135mm f/2L USM + Extension Tube EF 25 II, 1/300s, f/11, ISO 100, 430 EX Speedlite @ 1/32 left of camera

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/apstringer/5322217514/]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5085/5322217514_a6d4b5d11f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/apstringer/5322217514/)
1D Mark IV, EF 135mm f/2L USM + Extension Tube EF 25 II, 1/300s, f/16, ISO 100, 430 EX Speedlite @ 1/32 left of camera

This was all done in the kitchen sink with a dripping tap and a plain white background. I did a little cropping and exposure adjustment in Lightroom, and used tungsten white balance to get the colour.

[Todd Ovick]

Andy,


Very Nice!


I am starting to see how the extra flash sync speed really makes a difference in this type of photography.


Me 1/200, Bob williams and Nick 1/250, and you at 1/300.


I have been shooting RAW in order to change WB for different colors as well.


I

[Todd Ovick]

I stumbled across this today while trying to figure out how to correctly reflect an image into a bubble of water. (with no success)


Bob, any luck?


Kinda looks like he is going to sipp water from a pond.....


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[bob williams]

stumbled across this today while trying to figure out how to correctly reflect an image into a bubble of water. (with no success)


Bob, any luck?






Well, I had a "little" luck this weekend, but wasn't quite what I was looking for. But I now think if I curve the background over the top of the water container, that i can move the picture up and down until I get it where I want it in the bubble---I know, wishful thinking, But I will give it another try this weekend and hopefully be able to report out some results.


Bob

[Dave Johnston]

Well, since everyone else was doing it. I suppose I had to get in on the fun. My attempt!


http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5331561951_2f6009900f_b.jpg ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/pairodocs/5331561951/)


Canon 50D + EF-s 60mm f2.8 @ f8 1/200" ISO-100


Strobist: 580exII (camera left) 1/16 power calcolor red 50 gel bounced off white wall to subject rear triggered ctr-301p

[bob williams]

Dave, Very Nice. I really like the look the gels gave this shot.


Bob

[uberbloke]

My contribution, lots of water drops


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5187949922_e75f9a7ede.jpg


Canon 400D f8 1/250 sec lens: 50mm 1.8


Strobism: The pop up flash and custom diffuser (tissue paper!)

[Dave Johnston]

Dave, Very Nice. I really like the look the gels gave this shot.


Thanks, Bob. I tell you. I visited "The Strobist" once and ended up spending 200 dollars on things I didnt know I needed or needed to make for that matter. I haven't looked back since. I love what you can do with strobes and gels and grids and AAAHHHH!!!! [:#]It has made photography a whole different monster!!!


Cheers,


Dave.

[Todd Ovick]

Dave, Nice capture! Ditto on Bobs comment too.



ended up spending 200 dollars on things I didnt know I needed or needed to make for that matter. I haven't looked back since. I love what you can do with strobes and gels and grids and AAAHHHH!!!! /emoticons/emotion-16.gifIt has made photography a whole different monster!!!


I am next in line for upgrading my strobist equipment..


Todd

[Todd Ovick]

Uberbloke,


nice creativity...the water almost looks like shards of ice falling


Todd

[nvitalephotography]

Ok I know Im a little late to the show, but I wanted to try this out too. I think I will be doing a lot of this now. Its really fun. Now I just need to pick up some extension tubes so I dont have to crop.





50d, 17-55mm, 580exII. f 11, 1/250th, flash


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[Todd Ovick]

nvitalephotography,


Nice one! I like the somewhat separation of the blue and red....


How did ya do it? Let me guess, clear pan with blue source underneath and flash bounced of a red source?


Todd

[nvitalephotography]

Thanks!


I actually just used dye. blue water and dripped in a drop of red. bounced a flash off a white background. the colors stayed separated rather well.


Nick

[conropl]

You guys inspired me to give it a try. It was a lot of fun. Here are a few from my first attempt:


7D with 55-250mm f/4.5-5.6 @ 250mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec and 580EX-II Flash... The meat thermometer was good idea.


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Pat

[btaylor]

There's some good stuff here guys! It's a pretty tricky thing to perfect that's for sure. You can go all out with digitally timer controlled solenoids attached to IR or sound triggers but I think it's a lot of money to spend on something I think might get old quickly. I had a play with it a while back and I think half the fun was trying to get a good shot while doing the whole thing by hand! Here's a shot I got of a collision a while ago - it was a yellow water/milk drop with a bit of window cleaner added dropped into blue coloured water. I think I had a blue gel on the580 exIIas well.


Canon 40D, Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS + Kenko extension tubes @ f/14, ISO 200, 3 sec exposure, 580 EX II from behind at 1/128th power


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2668/4143672032_a8ea4c26db_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ben_taylor_au/4143672032/)
Yellow and blue collision (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ben_taylor_au/4143672032/) by Ben__Taylor (http://www.flickr.com/people/ben_taylor_au/), on Flickr


Cheers, Ben

[Todd Ovick]

Ben,


Awesome!!


Would you say you got this collision from using a longer shutter speed?


I have to try this...


Todd

[btaylor]

Hi Todd,


The shutter speed really has no bearing on these types of high speed shots. The idea is to shoot in relative darkness so that the only light reaching the sensor is that given off by the flash, so no ambient light should filter into the shot. I think the light duration from a 580 EX II at 1/128th power is in the order of 1/40000th of a second, much much faster than the maximum 1/8000th of a second you can achieve with a shutter of most modern DSLR's. This is the key to stopping the drops. I just keep the shutter open long enough for me the open the shutter, squeeze the water out of the dropper, fire the flashes etc then close the shutter.


To get a shot of a collision such as this (from my relative inexperience) you need to have 2 drops coming down into your base in quick succession. As the first hits the water is creates the spoutat the bottom. Then as the second drops comes down it collides with thespout of the first, creating the "crown" at the top.It's quite interesting the differentshapes that can form. You need at least 2-3cm of water in your base to get the good spout, but that's about it.


It also helps having a small amount (a drop or two) of a detergent based liquid in your solution that you're dropping. I found window cleaner was best because it doesn't bubble up as much as something like dishwashing detergent, so you're not constantly popping of blowing bubbles out the the frame. It's alsogood toadd milk to your solution (around 50/50 water and milk) as this increases the viscosity of the liquid, helping hold it together a bit more. This alsoshows up the difference in colours more prominantly.


I started using just one flash from behind and eventually hadtwo 580 ex II's going. One directly behind with a large diffuser (frosted glass works really well) and often a coloured gel to illuminate the water base. The second was usually positioned at about 45 deg to the side with a tight grid on it just to illuminate the top of the spout/ drop. Both dialed down to either 1/64th or 1/128th power to help freeze the motion.


It's a lot of hard work doing things by hand, which is probably why I stopped playing around with it. Don't expect a fantastic success rate either, I think I got 2-3 shots like this out of around 350 shots when I took that one. It's interesting though, and you can get some great images.


Here's another shot from the same session showing the collision between the two drops.


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Hope this helps a bit anyway, have fun!


Ben.

[Todd Ovick]

Ben,


Thanx for the info. I am going to try this...need to gather up some more tools i.e. eyedropper, ect.


Yes, it does sound like a bit of work but the results really pay off, as they did for you.



It also helps having a small amount (a drop or two) of a detergent based liquid in your solution that you're dropping. I found window cleaner was best because it doesn't bubble up as much as something like dishwashing detergent, so you're not constantly popping of blowing bubbles out the the frame. It's alsogood toadd milk to your solution (around 50/50 water and milk) as this increases the viscosity of the liquid, helping hold it together a bit more.


This probably explains why i get so many misc. bubbles when doing this in the kitchen sink while dripping water out of the faucet.


Todd

[bob williams]

Ben, Like you, This artform is really not what i want to spend my time and money on. But for any budding photographer, it is a great drill to teach lighting, high speed, flash etc. But I have to admit I am jealous; I filled up two 16 gig cards but never managed to get the "collision" as you did. I got some pretty good "drop shots" but, I always missed the collision-----Great job, great photo-----Love the color and lighting as well.


Bob

[btaylor]

Thanks Bob. You

[Sheiky]

Ben that shot is really cool. Nice capture. I think I have seen it before, but until nowI never knew what caused it to look like that. [Y]


Well, as everyone tried it I also took a shot at it...man it's hard! I have some shots, but they are all bad in my opninion. Focus isn't right, timing is wrong etc etc...


Anyway I got bored quickly and I decided to throw in the big shots for some more splashing:


http://www.actieinbeeld.nl/tdp/splash3.jpg


All shots: 100mm, f10, ISO-400, 1/200 with a 430EX flashing from back right.


Jan

[JJphoto]

nice shots!, Jan, I like the lighting very much and the first one is my favorite!

[Sheiky]

nice shots!, Jan, I like the lighting very much and the first one is my favorite!
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Thanks [:D] Well I also like the kiwi-shot the most. It's very cool to see how different types of fruit all have different reactions when hitting the water. For some reason the kiwi makes a very sharp edge which doesn't suck inwards. An orange for example has a sort of drag behind it, which sucks the water back in immediately. It was fun [:D] Oh and the apple is definitely the fastest. It goes straight to the bottom, noticeably faster than the others. Fun facts [;)]


Ps: my pc had a hard time making this one. I used full resolution photos and now I have a 980MB, 89,8MP , PSD-file....even the full-sized Jpeg file still was like 55MB [A]