Water Drops Perfected!

Water Drops Perfected! · 12:39 PM

So I decided to have fun in the basement today and perfect my water drop capture ability.

I finally plunked down for Pocket Wizards and got a set of three of them. Having the PW's has given me a new tool for fun and exciting ways to take pictures. Basically I plugged one PW onto the hotshoe of my K10D and plugged in the camera operator cable from said PW into the cable release port of the K10D. Then I setup an AF540 directly overhead triggered by the second PW and a Promaster 7000M set to optical slave into the pool of water with different colour gels for effect. The last step is the third PW in my hand... basically I can trip the camera and my strobes all at the same time form anywhere in my house without restriction. Basic setup cost would run you $2000+ if you had nothing, so this is not for the weak at heart or pocket book.

Here are the results from said experiment and I'm going to give it another go later plus post the setup shot of all the equipment ASAP.

ENJOY!

Peter Zack · 02-17-2008, 08:48 PM

Here's a challenge for you Chris. Take a night shot and use that as a background for Earth and Moon! Again stunning capture.

TheOsOProject · 02-17-2008, 10:20 PM

those are very f***ing cool pics

Rickster · 02-17-2008, 11:45 PM

Originally posted by codiac2600

Earth and the moon...

Complete with gravity well! Great stuff Chris! Kudos!

Kaimarx · 02-18-2008, 04:32 AM

Thats just way too cool for words Chris, technical skills and imagination at play. Awesome stuff.

roentarre · 02-18-2008, 04:51 AM

Not sure how you did it so well. I could never get the shots of the quality you manged to produce

jshurak · 02-18-2008, 07:08 AM

you triggered the third PW handheld?! I thought an IR switch was the way to go for these. Cool shots! Thinking about it, was the third PW necessary? If you triggered it handheld, couldn't you have just used a cord?

codiac2600 · 02-18-2008, 04:00 PM

Originally posted by Peter Zack

Here's a challenge for you Chris. Take a night shot and use that as a background for Earth and Moon! Again stunning capture.

Hmm... not sure I totally understand this one Peter. Give me a little more insight on it

Originally posted by TheOsOProject

those are very f***ing cool pics

Why thank you

Originally posted by Rickster

Complete with gravity well! Great stuff Chris! Kudos!

Lol, yes I do love the look of the water under the drops, makes for some side interest to the main subject.

Originally posted by Kaimarx

Thats just way too cool for words Chris, technical skills and imagination at play. Awesome stuff.

Lol, thank you.

Originally posted by roentarre

Not sure how you did it so well. I could never get the shots of the quality you manged to produce

James if you sat down in the basement and tried it using the setup in my blog you could pull if off easily. Go home and try it yourself I'd love to see results!

codiac2600 · 02-18-2008, 04:03 PM

Originally posted by jshurak

you triggered the third PW handheld?! I thought an IR switch was the way to go for these. Cool shots! Thinking about it, was the third PW necessary? If you triggered it handheld, couldn't you have just used a cord?

I would use an IR trigger, but to me that feels a little cheap... like instead of mastering a technique you replace it with extra electronics that don't involve any real skill. I can't deny that the results are spectacular for IR triggers just like lightning triggers do an amazing job.

I noted that in the blog that a cable release could replace the third PW, but I liked that I could walk upstairs and continue to fire away. It's not a perfect system and it's mostly luck so sometimes not actually paying attention to the drip rate helps.

Peter Zack · 02-18-2008, 04:20 PM

Chris I was thinking you could take the 2 water drops and remove the background. Then add a new background with stars and a night sky. All PS work of course. I don't do much of this type of stuff myself I admit but thought it might look cool if you could pull it off.

This is a great series. Have you tried posting any to PPG?

jshurak · 02-18-2008, 04:26 PM

Originally posted by codiac2600

like instead of mastering a technique you replace it with extra electronics that don't involve any real skill.

Fair enough!

And hey, you just got three pocket wizards! I would have done the same!

codiac2600 · 02-18-2008, 04:39 PM

Originally posted by Peter Zack

Chris I was thinking you could take the 2 water drops and remove the background. Then add a new background with stars and a night sky. All PS work of course. I don't do much of this type of stuff myself I admit but thought it might look cool if you could pull it off.

This is a great series. Have you tried posting any to PPG?

Ahhhhhhh... now i get it. I'll give it a go when I get home since it does sound pretty neat.

I haven't tried submitting any of these but will once I get home to the big beast PC which has all the pics.

Originally posted by jshurak

Fair enough!

And hey, you just got three pocket wizards! I would have done the same!

That last part is exactly why I did it. I always have the urge to play with new toys until I figure out every conceivable way to use them.

Eastern Shore Charlie · 02-18-2008, 06:14 PM

Chris...That is so cool that you share your talent and show people.... a how to video....thanks...Charlie

lapeen · 02-18-2008, 06:23 PM

So... SO... cool!

mtnbearhug · 02-18-2008, 07:28 PM

Chris,

These are truely amazing.... and your video on your blob is very understandable and a great teaching tool.

But what you dont' mention are the settings that you use? Or have you found certain settings that work better than others?

I don't have a macro lens but I think I may try this one of these days and see what happens..

Kim

LaRee · 02-18-2008, 10:27 PM

Wow Chris. When I saw the title I knew these would be good, but you surpased my expectations.

Truely wonderful work here. I am in awe as I've had a feable attempt at photographing water drops that didn't work out at all. I actually bought the 540 flash because I *needed* it for water drop shots. lol
I've been seriously concidering PW's but wow they are pricey! Would I need more than two PW if I was using two flashes? I supose I would. YIKES and I thought $380 was too much money, I'd have to add another 1/2 as much again for another PW. And while we're on the subject...have your heard anything about Skyport tiggers?
Thanks for sharing your amazing and yes "Perfected" water drops. I love them.

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02-18-2008, 07:28 PM	#29
mtnbearhug Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Emmett, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,351	These are GREAT!! Chris, These are truely amazing.... and your video on your blob is very understandable and a great teaching tool. But what you dont' mention are the settings that you use? Or have you found certain settings that work better than others? I don't have a macro lens but I think I may try this one of these days and see what happens.. Kim

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02-17-2008, 08:48 PM	#16
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Here's a challenge for you Chris. Take a night shot and use that as a background for Earth and Moon! Again stunning capture.

02-17-2008, 10:20 PM	#17
TheOsOProject Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Atlanta - US Photos: Albums Posts: 55	those are very f***ing cool pics

02-17-2008, 11:45 PM	#18
Rickster Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SE Idaho - Rocky Mtns Photos: Gallery Posts: 580	Originally posted by codiac2600 Earth and the moon... Complete with gravity well! Great stuff Chris! Kudos!

02-18-2008, 04:32 AM	#19
Kaimarx Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Auckland Photos: Gallery Posts: 452	Thats just way too cool for words Chris, technical skills and imagination at play. Awesome stuff.

02-18-2008, 04:51 AM	#20
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Not sure how you did it so well. I could never get the shots of the quality you manged to produce

02-18-2008, 07:08 AM	#21
jshurak Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: philadelphia Posts: 626	you triggered the third PW handheld?! I thought an IR switch was the way to go for these. Cool shots! Thinking about it, was the third PW necessary? If you triggered it handheld, couldn't you have just used a cord?

02-18-2008, 04:00 PM	#22
codiac2600 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 2,027 Original Poster	Originally posted by Peter Zack Here's a challenge for you Chris. Take a night shot and use that as a background for Earth and Moon! Again stunning capture. Hmm... not sure I totally understand this one Peter. Give me a little more insight on it Originally posted by TheOsOProject those are very f***ing cool pics Why thank you Originally posted by Rickster Complete with gravity well! Great stuff Chris! Kudos! Lol, yes I do love the look of the water under the drops, makes for some side interest to the main subject. Originally posted by Kaimarx Thats just way too cool for words Chris, technical skills and imagination at play. Awesome stuff. Lol, thank you. Originally posted by roentarre Not sure how you did it so well. I could never get the shots of the quality you manged to produce James if you sat down in the basement and tried it using the setup in my blog you could pull if off easily. Go home and try it yourself I'd love to see results!

02-18-2008, 04:03 PM	#23
codiac2600 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 2,027 Original Poster	Originally posted by jshurak you triggered the third PW handheld?! I thought an IR switch was the way to go for these. Cool shots! Thinking about it, was the third PW necessary? If you triggered it handheld, couldn't you have just used a cord? I would use an IR trigger, but to me that feels a little cheap... like instead of mastering a technique you replace it with extra electronics that don't involve any real skill. I can't deny that the results are spectacular for IR triggers just like lightning triggers do an amazing job. I noted that in the blog that a cable release could replace the third PW, but I liked that I could walk upstairs and continue to fire away. It's not a perfect system and it's mostly luck so sometimes not actually paying attention to the drip rate helps.

02-18-2008, 04:20 PM	#24
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Chris I was thinking you could take the 2 water drops and remove the background. Then add a new background with stars and a night sky. All PS work of course. I don't do much of this type of stuff myself I admit but thought it might look cool if you could pull it off. This is a great series. Have you tried posting any to PPG?

02-18-2008, 04:26 PM	#25
jshurak Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: philadelphia Posts: 626	Originally posted by codiac2600 like instead of mastering a technique you replace it with extra electronics that don't involve any real skill. Fair enough! And hey, you just got three pocket wizards! I would have done the same!

02-18-2008, 04:39 PM	#26
codiac2600 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 2,027 Original Poster	Originally posted by Peter Zack Chris I was thinking you could take the 2 water drops and remove the background. Then add a new background with stars and a night sky. All PS work of course. I don't do much of this type of stuff myself I admit but thought it might look cool if you could pull it off. This is a great series. Have you tried posting any to PPG? Ahhhhhhh... now i get it. I'll give it a go when I get home since it does sound pretty neat. I haven't tried submitting any of these but will once I get home to the big beast PC which has all the pics. Originally posted by jshurak Fair enough! And hey, you just got three pocket wizards! I would have done the same! That last part is exactly why I did it. I always have the urge to play with new toys until I figure out every conceivable way to use them.

02-18-2008, 06:14 PM	#27
Eastern Shore Charlie Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: 21639/ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 822	Chris...That is so cool that you share your talent and show people.... a how to video....thanks...Charlie

02-18-2008, 06:23 PM	#28
lapeen Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: bangor, maine Posts: 380	So... SO... cool!

02-18-2008, 10:27 PM	#30
LaRee Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Diego Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,225	Wow Chris. When I saw the title I knew these would be good, but you surpased my expectations. Truely wonderful work here. I am in awe as I've had a feable attempt at photographing water drops that didn't work out at all. I actually bought the 540 flash because I needed it for water drop shots. lol I've been seriously concidering PW's but wow they are pricey! Would I need more than two PW if I was using two flashes? I supose I would. YIKES and I thought $380 was too much money, I'd have to add another 1/2 as much again for another PW. And while we're on the subject...have your heard anything about Skyport tiggers? Thanks for sharing your amazing and yes "Perfected" water drops. I love them.