TRIALING WATER DROPS ON LEAVES -- PRACTICE SESSION 2
After my initial test I took a step back to think about what I actually wanted from this image - I really want the look of simplicity and beauty I wanted colour but I didn't want to much.
There are so many different ideas out there with lots of different directions to go in; I did not want to go for reflections of the flowers in the drops on the flowers, I wanted the colours I had to be vivid but to stand out, so I decided that this would be done with a black background.
After deciding this much I needed to start by sorting out two things - the best type of flower for what I am going for and I also needed to sort out my black background, I did look in my books but they didn't have quite what I was looking for and I found some information on the school of digital photography site that I could work to suit what I needed. As I am using a macro lens for this picture I did not need another light to light a glass and could keep this set up very simple.
I set up that I found that work for me straight away was black velvet on my foam board about a foot or so behind the subject, 1 large studio lamp on the right hand side of the flower at a slight angel, with my camera set up on a trip I made a start. The first clear thing here for me was that there was no need for a flash and as with every photograph there is a reason behind the settings on your camera and each setting will have a desired effect or goal, the reason I would need a fast shutter speed for this image is simple and that's movement. With the placements of the water drops on the flowers I don't want to capture the drops falling down the leaves I want them in one position.
I spoke to my florist and we started with the idea of the Lilly because of the size of its leaves - and just normal water dropped on the petal with the use of a pipette and that was my first image with this set up.
There are so many different ideas out there with lots of different directions to go in; I did not want to go for reflections of the flowers in the drops on the flowers, I wanted the colours I had to be vivid but to stand out, so I decided that this would be done with a black background.
After deciding this much I needed to start by sorting out two things - the best type of flower for what I am going for and I also needed to sort out my black background, I did look in my books but they didn't have quite what I was looking for and I found some information on the school of digital photography site that I could work to suit what I needed. As I am using a macro lens for this picture I did not need another light to light a glass and could keep this set up very simple.
I set up that I found that work for me straight away was black velvet on my foam board about a foot or so behind the subject, 1 large studio lamp on the right hand side of the flower at a slight angel, with my camera set up on a trip I made a start. The first clear thing here for me was that there was no need for a flash and as with every photograph there is a reason behind the settings on your camera and each setting will have a desired effect or goal, the reason I would need a fast shutter speed for this image is simple and that's movement. With the placements of the water drops on the flowers I don't want to capture the drops falling down the leaves I want them in one position.
I spoke to my florist and we started with the idea of the Lilly because of the size of its leaves - and just normal water dropped on the petal with the use of a pipette and that was my first image with this set up.
TRIAL 2 -- IMAGE ONE
I am more than happy with the background - there are two things that I need to work on here and that is the shutter speed because you can see the movement the second thing is the invisibility of the water drop, as this flower is just a trial I am not to concerned - I plan to change the colour of the flower but I still need to make sure that I can get the drops on the leaves to stand out.
I decided to use some green food dye mixed in with water and to stray the flower to see what would happen.
TRIAL 3 -- IMAGE ONE
I have trialed different views and numerous different angels for the Lilly and to try and make it work I have even sprayed it with different types of dye and it just isn't working out the way that I want it to, however I am happy with the lighting.
I tried using glycerine on the leaves and that hasn't worked either because I just can't get it to stand out. I need to replace the flower, I really like the idea of green drops but darker and more substantial.
I need to approach to issues and that is the type of flower and the other is the holding method for the flower and having it in a glass doesn't allow for much stability or room for much playing around with the composition.
I revisited the florist and we came up with two more ideas which I decided to trial at different times to keep the flowers as fresh as possible for photographing.
I mixed glycerine in with dark green food dye for the drops.
I tried using glycerine on the leaves and that hasn't worked either because I just can't get it to stand out. I need to replace the flower, I really like the idea of green drops but darker and more substantial.
I need to approach to issues and that is the type of flower and the other is the holding method for the flower and having it in a glass doesn't allow for much stability or room for much playing around with the composition.
I revisited the florist and we came up with two more ideas which I decided to trial at different times to keep the flowers as fresh as possible for photographing.
I mixed glycerine in with dark green food dye for the drops.
TRIAL 4 -- IMAGE ONE & TWO -- NEW FLOWER -- NEW DROPS
This is a step closer to what I want - I have conceded some of the shutter speed for this trial to attempt a larger area of focus. I do not want to add more light to this image, this is a case of experimentation in order to figure out exactly what I want from my image, although I do like the direction that it is going in.
Returning to my florist I have decided to go for option 2 which is a lovely vibrant orange rose - I have ordered a couple. This flower some trial and error for the positioning in the clamp and where abouts it is in relation to the light. The inside petals are a lot closer in than I expected. Going into the center of the rose with the lens and focuses in there does not work in the relation to the light and leaves a very dark and dank looking orange rose.
I start experimenting with possible positions and the use of drops but start with water so not to dye the rose.
Returning to my florist I have decided to go for option 2 which is a lovely vibrant orange rose - I have ordered a couple. This flower some trial and error for the positioning in the clamp and where abouts it is in relation to the light. The inside petals are a lot closer in than I expected. Going into the center of the rose with the lens and focuses in there does not work in the relation to the light and leaves a very dark and dank looking orange rose.
I start experimenting with possible positions and the use of drops but start with water so not to dye the rose.
TRIAL 5 -- NEW FLOWER -- POSSIBLE POSITIONS -- START WITH WATER
TRIAL 6 -- TRIAL DYE
I am happy with were I have got to and that I can confidently create my final piece.
INFORMATION RESOURCES -- RESEARCH
A lot of my information and research for the final piece has come from practical research although I have had to get help and inspiration to achieve my final goal which will been seen on the Assignment 5 Page.
Water Drops on Flowers - Ideas 1
Water Drops on Flowers - Ideas 2
Water Drops on Flowers - Ideas 3
Water Drops on Flowers - Ideas 1
Water Drops on Flowers - Ideas 2
Water Drops on Flowers - Ideas 3