Making water stand still

[MulberryLane]

I am trying and trying to get the perfect "Still Water" shots, like actual droplets from a fountain. I know technically what I'm supposed to be doing, from one of my classes. But darn it if I just can't do it. Any suggestions?

[kenw]

A bit more explanation of exactly what you are looking to wind up with might be needed, but for the most part a fast shutter to freeze movement is the 1st consideration. Light direction to control highlights, aperture to control background blur/sharpness will eventually factor into the final effort, but start with the basic: freeze the movement.

To start with, use shutter priority (T or TV) to find out the proper shutter speed to freeze things. it's going to be fast depending on the speed of the water's movement, something like 1/500 or even 1/1000 -1/2000s. Once you get it frozen, you can start working with apertures, lighting and such.

Full Auto ain't gonna do it.

[MulberryLane]

I'll try that. I was using the aperture as my primary setting.

[CaptainTom]

set up your shot
Completely darken the room
open shutter
time flash to go off at exact time of drop forming.
close shutter.
print
Oooh and aaaah.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Yeah you need to look at this by way of lighting it for a short short short time vs a lot of light and a fast shutter. Most flashes are pretty short duration (in the milliseconds) and would work out fine so follow what Tom said above.

Heck there are some guys out there with super fast strobes (1/50,000 sec) who have done some killer water drops and spray shots even in micro mode.

[MulberryLane]

So far, all my shots have been outdoors on fountains. I'm determined to get it...lol

[MulberryLane]

I found the secret! Number one... I think it was the fountain... ha! The ground fountain in Dallas is wonderful. Will be back to post pics a bit later. Have over 70 to process.

[venchka]

Do you mean still water like this??????????

[ChristopherCoy]

or like this?

[Big Dog]

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/05...-courtesy.html

http://techtv.mit.edu/collections/do...f-doc-edgerton

You need to know about Doc Edgerton!

[MulberryLane]

lol... you guys are awesome. Here are the shots I finally got. Don't know why I was on SUCH a mission- probably just because I couldn't do it!

[kenw]

you're a quick learner, Amanda. Now you CAN do it....

I would dare say that you might even use a smidge faster shutter, there is still a bit of blur in these. However, that bit of blur does make for a very artful image just as it is.

[JohnT]

You got it. Any time you want or need to freeze action, it's Tv (Time-value), aka shutter-priority.

[MulberryLane]

Thanks guys. I WILL try it with a faster shutter next time.

[MHampton]

Nice water images. But it looks like you may have a problem with your sensor. There is some crazy squiggly stratch marks all over the picture.