S
OME PHOTOGRAPHERS SAY it’s
challenging, others deem it cliché, but
we all appreciate it for its timeless
interest: photographing water droplets from
a stem is not an original idea, but very few of
those still exist. It’s a technique that’s both a
little cliché due to it’s never-dwindling
popularity, but part of its allure is the challenge
and the rewarding images you get when you
do it well. The biggest trouble with such
images, as with most macro techniques, is
light and focus. As the subjects don’t move,
light is less of a concern so long as you havesome, as your exposures can afford to be
long when using a tripod-mounted set-up.
Saying this, however, if you choose to shoot
this tutorial outdoors you’ll need to find a
sheltered position on a very still day to avoid
motion from the slightest of breezes.
Flat-faced flowers and leaves of
interesting colour and shape work well for
such techniques, as you want their flat-side
(the angle with the most identifiable detail) to
be visible in the droplets. Experiment with
different subjects and background options,
too, to find the style of shot you like.Window light is enough for this technique,
but a desk lamp or macro ringflash can help
too if light levels drop too low – just be
watchful of creating distracting highlights on
the droplet’s surface. You’ll also want to use
clamps – Wimberley Plamps or similar are
best as their flexible arms allow for easy
positioning, or else get creative with tape and
bulldog clips for support. The technique can
be frustrating, especially when you’re trying
to get the perfect water droplets to shoot
through, but persevere and you may surprise
yourself with the results.PH O
K L L
SEE S PRING IN
A DROPLET
CAROLINE SCHMIDT SHARES ADVICE FOR TAKING A CLOSER, BUT REFRACTED,
LOOK AT SPRING FLOWERS USING A TECHNIQUE THAT’S GREAT FUN TO DOCAMERA: NIKON D800/ LENS: AF-S 50MM F/1.8G W I T H E X T E NSION TUBES