Water drops...take 2

[woodsj6]

Posted my first attempt yesterday, and here's my second try at it. I am much happier with the shots this time.

1
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w222/woodsj6/IMG_8539.jpg

2
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w222/woodsj6/IMG_8630.jpg

3
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w222/woodsj6/IMG_8783.jpg

4
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w222/woodsj6/IMG_9572.jpg

5
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w222/woodsj6/IMG_8915.jpg

6 (I had to at least try and see what it looked like in b/w)
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w222/woodsj6/IMG_8309.jpg

7
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w222/woodsj6/IMG_7916.jpg

[CameraMan741]

i really like #3,4,and 5.

looks great.

[energy_c]

Hey Man, these are really cool, whats even more impressive is that you said you did your first attempt with just 2 halogen lamps and no external flash (im assuming same setup for these shots). I'm actually in the same position as your self as I dont have a flash unit yet (430EX II coming my way soon I hope). I am using 20W CF daylight bulbs with 3 lamps but I cant seem to get any successful shots yet. Do you mind explaining your setup i.e. what have you used to hold the water and how have your rigged the drops? cheers mate.

[woodsj6]

Thank you both for your feedback.
And to try and answer your question energy:
This time, I used tin foil and some of that colored cellophane to reflect more light. I tried a few different setups (which is really what you have to do).
I had a clear glass dish, filled to just about the top. I put a piece of colored stock paper underneath it, and standing up behind the dish, I had the tin foil, with the colored cellophane on top of it. Now for the lighting, I had one lamp pointing at the foil/cellophane, and the other directly at the dish. I played around with different angles to get the fastest shutter speed out of the camera. As far as the drip, I haven't quite mastered that. I used a pop bottle with a tiny hole cut in the top, but I couldn't figure out anything to hold it for me, so I had to hold it, which was a pain.
I think the experimentation of it all is the funnest part of doing this. Each time I took a series of 20 or so pictures, I would change something slightly.

If this doesn't help, I can set it all back up and take pictures for you.

[emomophantom]

I like the color and composition you pulled off with these. Sometimes I see water pictures like this and find them boring, but these aren't boring to me. #3 (green and blue) is my favorite. Pretty nice given your setup.

[funk1196]

Thank you both for your feedback.
And to try and answer your question energy:
This time, I used tin foil and some of that colored cellophane to reflect more light. I tried a few different setups (which is really what you have to do).
I had a clear glass dish, filled to just about the top. I put a piece of colored stock paper underneath it, and standing up behind the dish, I had the tin foil, with the colored cellophane on top of it. Now for the lighting, I had one lamp pointing at the foil/cellophane, and the other directly at the dish. I played around with different angles to get the fastest shutter speed out of the camera. As far as the drip, I haven't quite mastered that. I used a pop bottle with a tiny hole cut in the top, but I couldn't figure out anything to hold it for me, so I had to hold it, which was a pain.
I think the experimentation of it all is the funnest part of doing this. Each time I took a series of 20 or so pictures, I would change something slightly.

If this doesn't help, I can set it all back up and take pictures for you.

if you ever take these photos again.... take a setup photo! pretty please!

[energy_c]

If this doesn't help, I can set it all back up and take pictures for you.

That helps alot mate cheers! A setup image would be brilliant when you find the time, thank you.

[ScottDeeley]

the B/W looks great and is my fav! I guess I just love how bokeh looks in B/W...

[PlayersZ28]

The pics look great. Are these captured by the luck of timing? Pressing the shutter when you think the time is right?

I've seen some setups (and started building one myself a while back but didn't complete it due to a move) that use optical sensors to see the drop and start an adjustable timer to then fire the flash and capture the drops. This is done in a dark room with the shutter open.