High Speed Water Droplets

Research;

These images are an example of Dr Harold Edgerton where he uses high speed shots. He was able to produce flash durations of 1/100,000 (1 millionth) of a second. I am aiming to capture the crown and where the water droplet travels out of the liquid.

http://edgerton-digital-collections.org/

Martin Waugh

http://www.liquidsculpture.com/fine_art/water-drop-photo.htm?title=AmberOrb

Set Up;

Equipment;

• Speed Light
• Food Colouring 
• Trays
• Table
• Patterned Paper
• Shutter Release Cable or Remote
• Freezer Bags with Handles
• Frame to attach the bag of liquid to, above the tray
• Sellotape (in case you need to cover the hole)
• Camera
• Tripod  
• Milk
• Water
• Pin
• Towels
• Torch
• Zoom Lens 

Information;

During this shoot, it is an experimental process until you get to grips with when to capture the droplets. You are aiming to create the different effects by how the water splashes.
It is important to understand that it isn't the camera shutter speed that freezes the water droplet movement, it is the flash duration that does the work.

It is easy enough to replicate at home.

How to;

1. Set up the equipment in a suitable area
   
2. Fill the bag up with water and make a small hole in the bottom
3. Set your camera to auto focus and place a pen where the water drops. When it is focused change it to manual
4. Set up the speed light (wireless or cable) facing towards the card behind the water tray. If you have the ETTL setting this should be activated
5. Experiment with milk, coloured paper, perspex, water
6. Use the shutter release to begin shooting