Water Sculptures - second attempt

[amature101]

Hi Just thought I'd post a few shots from my second attempt.

Cheers
Mick

[coffee]

Very nice Mick. Very nice detail and sharpness. I can't remember what yhou are using for your setup.

[owenmorris]

Very nice Mick well timed great clarity...

Owen

[amature101]

Thanks or the comments.

Joseph, my set up is pretty basic. My camera is a Nikon D90 with the standard kit lenses 18 - 55 and 55 - 200. I used the 18 - 55mm lens for these shots, just using the built in flash and a light stand.
I made a tray out of purspex that is about 600mm x 400mm x 90mm deep.
I just hang a zip lock bag from a hook in my shed with a paper clip. the bag just has a single pin hole in it to regulate the droplets.
I started of using a tripod but found I got better results free hand.

Thanks Owen the timing is the most frustrating part lots of water ripples or just still water....lucky to get a couple of good pics from a hundred or so shots - glad i'm not using film.

Cheers
Mick.

[Kaye]

Mick, I think these shots are wonderful. Great colours and clarity. Well done.
Please post more - and I am sure each time you try, you will improve.
Your shots prompted me to try to set up something for myself, which I did - and wasted a couple of hours with not much success. (This I did in my large kitchen sink which I lined with black/white square vinyl, trying for a different effect. I set my tap to drip every 1 or 2 seconds or so).
Although I can get reasonable macros on my little camera, I am presuming that this sort of photography would be a miracle with my FE-370? I really need to upgrade, as I love this stuff!

[amature101]

Hi Kaye,
I'm glad you liked my latest pictures.
You should be able to get some descent results from your camera as long as your set up is ok.
I'm no expert but here are a few tips I have picked up.
I always use the flash.
Try and use a bright lining - dark back drops tend to absorb too much of the light and I found focusing on the lower third of the water spout gives the best results. I also use the sound of the water as a kind of metronome to help with the timing.
Attached is another shot from my latest shoot, getting a little more creative.

I hope this helps and keep practicing it all just seems to come together.

Cheers
Mick

[Kaye]

Mick, the last one is just the best. Congratulations. You are making fast progress! The colours and reflection are beautiful.

I really don't think that I can get good results for this type of photography on my FE-370. It takes quite good macros, and to do this, I must set on Super Macro, and in this setting I cannot use flash. (I did look at a Nikon D90 today for around $670 AUD. Not sure how this rates with current prices, and did have additional lens kit also).
One thing I definitely do is use the sound of the water drops as you said, as we have only two eyes, and they happen to focus in the same direction, so the ears and sound in this type of photography can be most helpful.

[johnnya]

Awesome Job!!! I like the first one the best.