After seeing some fantastic shots of water droplets around Photoblog, I decided to try one myself.

I shot around 100 shots, tinkering with f-stop, shutter speed, external lighting (flashlights, nothin' fancy), and a Speedlite on-camera.

And this is the best I got. Granted, the two drops up above are in focus, the rest is not (shot at f/1.8 @ 1/750 with flash firing). I'm not very pleased with the shot, but it's a learning lesson. I tried something I normally wouldn't, and that's my main purpose of this 365 Day Project: grow / learn / achieve.

I'll try this again when I have better lighting, or read of a better way to accomplish the shot. Until then, I have my first attempt documented.

JT Good work so far. I know of someone who shoots mostly water droplents and macros of bugs. He has shot hundreds of good water droplets. He told me that he found a triggering device on the internet specifically for water droplets. I won't be seeing this guy for 2-3 weeks but I will ask if you like. You could probably google it too. ????? · 2010-03-17: 23:42

BTW if you want better light a 5000K CF (curly cue) bulb set in a 12$ home depot reflector will work fine. Maybe 2 of them. Set up a different background color and you can have 2 colors in the ripple, like red water with blue highlights in the ripples. ????? · 2010-03-17: 23:44

your almost there! btw, that shade of green is just lovely! ????? · 2010-03-18: 00:25

I've got to try this. Saw a shot a few days ago of how someone set this up over their kitchen sink, but I can't remember who it was. Check out BwanaDon's post today! Good effort! lgnelson · 2010-03-18: 08:53

It looks great compared to anything I could do. Then there's this "tinkering with f-stop, shutter speed, external lighting (flashlights, nothin' fancy), and a Speedlite on-camera." Sounds like "qweriycier tyohgio8 cmiryhh nry sify" to me. I really need to learn about these things. ????? · 2010-03-18: 10:17

Same here...I've tried the droplet, splash, etc shots and haven't come away with anything I liked...still trying on occasion. I like your shot though. Cool color too. ILike2Photo · 2010-03-18: 11:20

Great shot, esp for a first attempt! I have been trying to catch rain drops very unsuccessfully. And you're right. The point is to try new things and expand as a photographer. :) kellybee322 · 2010-03-18: 12:05

I have never tried it but if these are your first attempts i bet u will get it awesome soon, this looks great to me!! Cudillero · 2010-03-18: 15:53

Tagged: water drop green 365dayproject