First Drops

[Steve Adkins]

Had some fun today with water drops. So many variables!
In CS5 blended with a Pixel Bender - Oil layer. Tried for some oily iridescence without putting oil through the drip kit... ... by using some holographic paper for reflection - under - the glass container.
All C&C welcome.

[Andrew McLachlan]

Very nicely done Steve, love it!

[Maureen Allen]

Very nice, Steve

Would you describe the setup you have for this?

[Steve Adkins]

Thanks Andrew and Maureen.

Very nice, Steve

Would you describe the setup you have for this?

Sure Maureen... This was my first try and I hope this gives you an idea of one type of setup.
Clear water in glass baking dish. Blue food coloring in drop water.
Used a Time Machine w/drip kit for timing the flash and dispersing the 2 drops.
Three flash - One straight ahead (pointed at camera) behind frosted glass w/magenta gel, one on left w/blue gel, one underneath Plexiglas table reflecting off holograph paper - White reflector on right.
Lots of variables to play with... Plan to use black container and different flash setups/reflectors in future sessions.

[denise ippolito]

Steve, I only did these once but they fascinate me. I like the way your collision came out. I might consider cleaning up the specular highlights at the base if it were mine since the colors in this rock! What did the PB oil layer add to the original image? I can see this is going to be another winning series for you. I'm glad that we will all be along for the ride. I hope to pick up some pointers from you. What f-stop? Thanks.

[Maureen Allen]

Thanks, Steve. This looks like something I'm going to have to try

[Indranil Sircar]

Awesome colors! Nicely done.

[Steve Adkins]

Steve, I only did these once but they fascinate me. I like the way your collision came out. I might consider cleaning up the specular highlights at the base if it were mine since the colors in this rock! What did the PB oil layer add to the original image? I can see this is going to be another winning series for you. I'm glad that we will all be along for the ride. I hope to pick up some pointers from you. What f-stop? Thanks.

Thanks for your vision denise. I will clean up those highlights.
Used f/40 full frame. I'd like to get this in the f/20 range if possible in the future. Better IQ I think.
PB oil was lightly applied and shows up on darker portions of magenta/blue green as a fine small swirl. Just a bit more texture. This was blended with a unsharp mask layer @ 50%.
The setup for the drops is a work in progress. First, you need flash that can adjust output to at least 1/32 power. 1/64 or less is even better. It's the low power which shortens the flash duration and freezes the image. The Time Machine/Drip Kit is amazingly and repeatably accurate. Have some issues with multiple sync-cord splitters and such. Found out it is not a good idea to rely on (non-wired) slave flash because of the timing lag involved. This one shows a slight blur because of this.
It's fun to experiment and a bit of a mind bender when working with reflections and refractions. Will be using different liquids and additives in the future.
I think I have enough to keep busy till Spring now.

[denise ippolito]

Steve, Thanks for the additional info. Susan Candelario who is a friend of mine aces these water drops all the time. I think I may be inspired to try again. I will be looking forward to your experimenting!!!

[Steve Adkins]

Steve, Thanks for the additional info. Susan Candelario who is a friend of mine aces these water drops all the time. I think I may be inspired to try again. I will be looking forward to your experimenting!!!

YAW! Susan's images are amazing and a big reason why I am doing these.

[Judy Howle]

This is a really nice drop capture! I love the colors - they do rock!

[Steve Adkins]

Thanks Judy and Indranil!

[Kerry Perkins]

Steve, this is wild and wonderful! I don't think I have room in my house for a setup like that, but it sure looks like a blast. Seriously interesting colors and refractions going on there. Looking forward to more of these!