Being stuck indoors doesn\u2019t mean your photography has to take a back seat \u2013 far from it! There are still plenty of ways to flex your creative muscles and this particular technique is great fun and allows lots of room for experimentation. Along with a camera and lens, you\u2019ll need the following bits of kit:<\/p>\n
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- Tripod (or a solid surface like a stack of books will do)<\/li>\n
- A glass bowl or container filled with water<\/li>\n
- A flashgun that can be triggered off camera OR<\/li>\n
- Bright LED lights or desk lamps<\/li>\n
- Objects to drop into the water<\/li>\n
- Coloured gels to go over the light source (optional)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Image\"](\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/make-a-splash_uk_02.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nFUJIFILM X-H1 + XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR – F10, ISO 320, 1\/250 sec<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Get set up<\/h2>\n
As this technique involves splashing water, it\u2019s best set up in the kitchen or somewhere where surfaces are suitably protected. You\u2019ll also need a plain background \u2013 I used a piece of card. One option is to shoot in your bath (providing it\u2019s white and you don\u2019t include the taps!) as it acts as one big reflector and there\u2019s no problem with tidying up afterwards. Otherwise, try placing a mirror under the glass for extra light.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
![\"Image\"](\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/make-a-splash_uk_03.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nTaken with the FUJIFILM X-T30 + XF35mmF1.4 R – F1.4, ISO 400, 1\/490 sec<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Once you\u2019ve found your spot and have the bowl of water in position, you\u2019ll need to make sure your camera is set up:<\/p>\n
1)<\/strong> If you\u2019re using continuous light like LED lights or desk lamps, you\u2019ll need to use a shutter speed of at least 1\/1000sec. This may mean having to push your ISO up to ensure enough light is hitting the sensor. Use the manual exposure mode and choose 1\/1000sec, F8 and ISO 800. If that\u2019s too dark, choose a wider aperture (F5.6, F4) or increase the ISO to 1600 or 3200. You may also need to change the white balance preset to match the light source or shoot RAW and change it on the computer afterwards.<\/p>\n
2)<\/strong> If, like me, you\u2019re shooting with flash, pick your camera\u2019s maximum sync speed and make sure you\u2019re using the mechanical shutter as flash won\u2019t fire if electronic shutter is selected. Here\u2019s a sync speed guide on some popular models:
\nX-T4, X-T3, X-Pro3 = 1\/250sec
\nX-T30, X-T200 = 1\/180sec
\nGFX system = 1\/125sec
\nWith the shutter speed selected, use the manual exposure mode and, as a starting point, try an aperture of F8 and ISO 200.<\/p>\nWhatever light source you\u2019re using, you should also select manual focusing and continuous shooting so you can capture a sequence of images with every splash. Use a coloured straw or teaspoon handle in the spot where you\u2019re going to drop the object to help focus accurately. Press in the rear command dial on X Series and GFX cameras to zoom in to your focus point, which is a huge help for accurate manual focusing.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
![\"Image\"](\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/make-a-splash_uk_04.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nFUJIFILM X-T1 + XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS – F8, ISO 200, 1\/160 sec<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Get shooting!<\/h2>\n
Now comes the fun part. As a starting point, position your light sources either side of the subject. You may just want to start with trying to capture water splashes, in which case you should focus on the surface of the water. If you\u2019re dropping items into the water, it\u2019s best to shoot through the side of the bowl or glass and capture them as they disappear under the surface.<\/p>\n
Be sure to move the light sources around and see how that affects the final image. You should also try different shapes and colours of glassware as each one will create its own unique splash and colour pattern.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
![\"Image\"](\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/make-a-splash_uk_05.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nFUJIFILM X-T30 + XF35mmF1.4 R – F1.4, ISO 400, 1\/750 sec<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Timing is everything. Most people will take the picture just before the subject hits the water, but in my experience you should wait a split second longer. Practice makes perfect, of course. It can be easier firing the shutter with a remote release or using the free FUJIFILM Camera Remote app.<\/p>\n
Want to get a more precise focus? I usually use a coloured straw or teaspoon handle to help focus my lens on where I think my drop will land in the container. Press in and rotate the rear command dial on X and GFX Series cameras to zoom in to your focus point.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n