Splashes and falling drops are a very specific kind of macro photography. We noticed a lot of wonderful and intriguing deviations. That’s why we decided to contact some of the greatest drop-artists on DA. They wanted to explain in this feature how they get to this kind of pictures. So, have fun reading and feel free to explore all deviations from this artists!

---

Uberdadeh

- What was your inspiration to start with this pictures?
I got started when I joined DA. I saw some of the water shots here and tried doing some. Then I saw the works of Martin Waugh and got hooked.
- Which materials do you use?
I mostly use water mixed with food coloring. Other things that work good to get a different consistency are mixing in glycerins and using soft soaps or milk.
- How does your setup looks like?
I started with 2 boxes at the same height and a piece of wood with a whole for the eye dropper. Since then I fine tuned this setup. I use a Canon 30D with a Tamron 90mm macro lens and Speedlite 430ex flash with an off shoe cord so that I can move it around.
- Do you use a flash and/or an automatic trigger?
Yes, I do use a flash that is set on manual on the lowest settings. I use around 1/32 to 1/64. I don’t use a trigger right now. I am looking into it but not sure if I want to spend money on the ones I have seen on the internet.
- Any extra tips?
All I can say is just go out and play. It takes a little time to get the setup that works but once you find something that works there is no end what you can do with it.

Some deviations from Uberdadeh:

---

 
Lumi-nara

- What was your inspiration to start with this pictures?
Well, I started on DA just to learn a few things. As I grew as an artist, I found some great artists like =RichAllen and =Sortvind. They gave me some great tips: a lot of practice, have faith in yourself and don’t get frustrated. It took me at least a year or more to get to where I am now.
- Which materials do you use?
For liquids, I've tried glycerin but it was too much of a pain to work with and very messy, so I just use plain water... the colder the better.
- How does your setup looks like?
You can check it out here: [link] My camera is a Nikon D50. My Macro lens is my baby. She's a beauty, a Nikkor 105mm Pro Macro lens. While I started out with an 18-55mm starter lens (worked OK) and a 50mm lens, my macro photography soared to new heights with this 105mm.
Tripods are VERY important. I use a Manfrotto Tripod (055XProB) and an ArcaSwiss Ballhead mount. Before I used Quantaray and some other cheap brand but I don’t recommend those. They broke after a few times. You need something heavy and sturdy, the heavier the better. I do freehand some time, but don't recommend that either... your photos will look good, but not as crisp and clear as using a tripod or even a monopod.
- Do you use a flash and/or an automatic trigger?
Yes, I have a Nikon Speedlight SB600 External Flash. I tried using worklights, but the external flash gives me more light than anything else I've tried.
I use a remote. For me that's the best thing because I can time my drops with one hand and the other hand can quickly press the remote.
- Any extra tips?
1.Don't give up! That's the main thing. I can't tell you how many times I got frustrated and wanted to walk away. But I didn't, I kept on striving and learning as much as I could from the wonderful deviants on dA.
2. Use your resources, read as many tutorials as you can.
3. Ask questions!! Generally I've found that most people don't hesitate to offer advice.
4. Practice! Practice! Practice! I've probably taken thousands of shots that were crap. Every photographer does. I go through a whole set of maybe 100 shots to find 2 or 3 that I like.
5. Google is your friend! Do research!!

Some deviations from Lumi-nara:

---

  
RichAllen

- What was your inspiration to start with this pictures?
I got started from watching people right here in DA. Inspiration comes from =TasteOfLiquid.
- Which materials do you use?
Mostly water, sometimes I add something to it (clear glycerin).
- How does your setup looks like?
I have made a couple of tutorials with this info. [link]
- Do you use a flash and/or an automatic trigger?
Yes, mostly the built-in flash. I add some external ones and spotlights. I don’t use a trigger. I use the timer on the camera. Then release the drops as the shutter opens.
- Any extra tips?
Patience, that's the biggest tip. Lots of practice and patience. It takes a while to get the timing down but, after some time it gets easier.

Some deviations from RichAllen:

---

  
Dexter13-sk

- What was your inspiration to start with this pictures?
I started with this kind of pictures in the past when my girl tried this out. It took me some time to get the patience for it. After a long time, I tried playing with the flash light and with glitter, I used the set-lens Zuiko 14-45mm. Only later I worked with the Sigma 105mm Macro lens and an external flash. My inspirations were topinka, RichAllen and other great people at DA.
- Which materials do you use?
In the beginning, I used only colored water with shower gel, things from the kitchen, soy sauce, … Now I use my glitter, bath salt, shower gel, oil with spices and anything else interesting I can find in my flat.
- How does your setup looks like?
My setup looks like the camera with Sigma 105mm lens on a tripod near kitchen sink or table. I use an external flash with some edits /author secrets. Just play with flash light...it will give you great shots. In the sink I have a bowl with water at the right angle and height. To make the drops I use a dropper, bottle or an helping automat - the sink tap.
- Do you use a flash and/or an automatic trigger?
Yes, I have only two hands and I take every photo alone. Sometimes I use the normal shutter because the auto trigger has a little slow-down.
- Any extra tips?
Try to experiment! Remember you can only catch the beauty of water, you cannot create it yourself. You can’t tell the water to "be like elephant". Behind my last series there are thousands of shots and a lot of hours. I know that at DA there are many great artist that have great umbrella-shaped drops , but every one of you can be great in a different way without creating a difficult lab for "waterart". You need only your brain, your sink and a bunch of patience...and in the end you will get there.

Some deviations from RichAllen:

---

  
Some deviations from other artists:
paritosh



Mick75



speedbird1961



ilpavone2004



EmreEnder



JulianBryce

---

More Macro and Close-up photography on