Water Drop Photography demands knowledge about Fluid Physics. In this article, we have discussed on the Techniques which can be used for Photographing splash of Fluid. In the previous article partially titled as Techniques for Static Droplet, we have discussed some points on :
- Viscosity and Dynamics of Fluid
- Equipments
- Camera
- Creative Ideas
Water Drop Photography itself a difficult chapter, furthermore Splashing Water Drop Photography is more difficult as the permutation combination of difficulties increases.
To properly understand Water Drop Photography for Splashes, understand the practical probable situation of composition :
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- Splash of a single fluid droplet on same type of fluid
- Splash of a gush of fluid on same type of fluid
- Splash of a single fluid droplet on non fluid rigid surface
- Splash of a single fluid droplet on non fluid semi-rigid surface
- Splash of a gush of fluid on non fluid rigid surface
- Splash of a gush of fluid on non fluid semi-rigid surface
There can be more combinations and classifications. Drop of a Water on greased glass plate will not exert the same visual effect compared to when it is dropped on a grease-free glass plate. Surface Tension, Adhesion – all are becoming matters to think about. Number of trial and error shots will decrease if you give importance to the Physics – there is no by-chance, all can be somewhat predicted for a composed scene.
Water Drop Photography : Setup for Creation of Drops
As we have pointed out in our previous article, a Burette (do a search on Google if you do not know what it is) and a Stand for Burette are enough to have any kind of drop effect. We use Burette for precise titration, if you are used with titration in lab, it will be easier for you to handle the fluids. Use a Glass titration burette and clean it as we do in labs for keeping it clean.
You can add Glycerin to the water to be dropped. Colors also can be added. There are various chemical and dyes. Again, keep in mind – some chemicals and dyes can make the water translucent whereas some can keep it fully clear.
More viscus will be the fluid, the drop will take more time to be ‘destroyed’ (dissolved in the water you are dropping). For the creation of very viscus fluid, use Sugar – boil Sugar and Water to make it viscid.
Soap / Shampoo decreases surface tension (that is why we can create bubbles), you can use this technical fact for composition.
Water Drop Photography : Camera Settings
The combination of a high F number and correct focus settings should create a greater depth of field with a sharp center of focus. We wrote in details about camera settings in Which Camera Mode to be Used in Which Situation. Usually it covers all type of conditions.
For Manual mode set the shutter speed to 1/125 second to sync with the flash, in most cases of Opaque Fluid, Flash is required. Next select a narrower aperture, such as f/13, to capture a wider depth of field to ensure the milk drops are in focus and set the ISO to 100.
Water Drop Photography : Composition
Practically, Rule of Third is dishonored in Water Drop Photography. You can search and read our articles on Background, normally the blurred fluid or surface creates the background. But, with proper setup, you can have a black or dark background.
In almost all situations, you will need to use Adobe Photoshop or any other advanced Photo Editing Software to either correct some minor issues or to add more dramatic effects.
