5 Tips for Shooting Macro Water Droplets

Water droplets have been a favorite subject of macro lovers for a very long time, and for good reason. They help to define the elegance of nature while mesmerizing us with their symmetry and beauty. They’re simply begging to be shot. And to help you get started (or improve your already thriving macro skills) here are a few tips you may find useful:

Adjust Your Exposure

This may seem like a no-brainer, but experimenting with your exposure while shooting macro can help you get some fabulous images. And as tempted as you are to crank up the ISO, it’s important to remember that lower ISO will help keep your image sharp, and it’s much easier to work with a sharp image in post.

Opt for a Tripod

Nothing beats using a good macro tripod to get ultimate stability. If you’re using a lens with image stabilization, make sure you turn off the IS when using your tripod. Leaving it on can actually create tiny vibrations (that you may not even notice), and these minuscule quakes and shakes can ruin an otherwise sharp image.

Avoid Harsh Light

Use whatever tools you have available to shape harsh lighting into something soft and manageable. You can also try moving your subject (if possible) into a variety of different light sources to discover how each will play with the contours of the droplets and their corresponding subject.

Try Using a Flash

Although the use of a flash isn’t necessary, when positioned properly it can give you a gorgeous lens flare effect that really catches the eye.

Successful Planning

If the stars align and the perfect shot of beautifully formed water droplets reveals itself, by all means, go for it. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have the time (or patience) to wait for such an event to occur. So, what are we to do? Create your own destiny by planning out your shot in advance. Not only will this save you time and energy, it will ensure you get the show you want, when you want it. Get yourself a spray bottle, and get to work. You can even try adding a bit of sugar to the water to help make the droplets more cohesive or instead of water, glycerine can also be used.