First droplet refraction attempt

[lavanut]

I've done some water drops before, but this was the first time I've deliberately tried to get an image focused in the water drop. I had seen a few tips here and there online, but I admit I stumbled through this a bit before getting this one. Does anyone have any pearls of wisdom they'd like to pass on? I know it's not the best, but it's a starting point.

Here's the best of the lot tonight. C&C welcome...
335324

[LordV]

Nice one - depends a bit on what you are trying to do, but if you want a clear refraction you are better off trying this with smaller drops (eg natural dewdrops) which tend to remain more spherical. If you want the refraction and the drop in focus, it is much easier to use focus stacking.
Tutorial here. http://www.wonderfulphotos.com/articles/macro/dewdrops/

Brian V.

[lavanut]

Nice one - depends a bit on what you are trying to do, but if you want a clear refraction you are better off trying this with smaller drops (eg natural dewdrops) which tend to remain more spherical. If you want the refraction and the drop in focus, it is much easier to use focus stacking.
Tutorial here. http://www.wonderfulphotos.com/articles/macro/dewdrops/

Brian V.
Thanks for the reply Brian! That makes sense with the smaller drops. What lens do you (or the majority of folks) typically use for this? MP-E 65 or standard macro (like 100mm) with tubes and extensions and possibly a reversed lens? The closer you get the more you risk disturbing your subject, making accurate focus stacking a little more difficult, I imagine. I've yet to try that technique, but it's high on my to do list.

The weather hasn't been cooperative here with dew outside, so I was creating my own drops with a sprayer. I think I'll try to find a finer misting sprayer and maybe get some grass outside that has something a little better for the water to stick to until the weather brings more favorable dew conditions. For smaller drops, I'm thinking that natural grass of some sort is a key thing. My subjects were a quick purchase in the floral department of my local Kroger.

Thanks for the tips. I definitely plan on trying some of those soon!

[LordV]

I tend to shoot these between 2:1 and 4:1 magnification - a 100mm lens with a full set of Kenko ext tubes will give you 2:1.
Brian v.

[motleypixel]

Brian,

Do you often hand-hold for stacking? In your tutorial you mention "resting the camera on your hand low to the ground".

Also, are their any chances to get differenct exposures using TT-L vs. Manual flash?

And lastly, how do you make artifical dew drops?

Thanks,
Roy