MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS AND TRICKS - Using One Water Drop As A Compositional Tool

In this macro photography tutorial, Ray Scott shows how one drop of water can add great impact to a photo. Photography composition has many variables and positioning a drop of water strategically can really enhance a picture. Ray runs through some of the equipment needed to work this project properly and also talks about various aperture setting of various images. Though not at all exclusive to flower photography, Ray chooses to use flowers in this particular exercise as opposed to other objects that may work well too.
When in studio or in the field Ray uses Canon gear. This is a choice he made years ago knowing that he was buying into a system that he could grow into. His go to camera is the Canon EOS 6D with the second camera being a Canon 5D. Lenses used are all L series f/4 except for the 50mm macro with extender. 16-35mm f/4L, 24-105mm f/4L, and 70-200mm f/4L round out the kit which is carried about with either a Lowepro Urban Reporter 250 messenger bag for city shooting or a Lowepro Sling Bag for landscape field work. While Ray does more camera handholding than before due to the image stabilization capabilities of his various lenses, he still is a believer in using his Manfrotto carbon fibre tripod. It's light and it is sturdy.
Ray is a firm believer in exposing himself to as much photography and its history as possible. By looking at other people's photos, he has gained a big appreciation of what this medium has to offer. Ray doesn't think that "copying" someone else's style is a good thing but rather feels that exposing oneself to others work can work as a teaching and inspirational tool. With this in mind, Ray has amassed a list of favorite photographers that he uses for inspiration. Some of these artistic photographers are Galen Rowell, Ansel Adams, Frans Lanting, Annie Leibovitz, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, Freeman Patterson, William Neill and Richard Avedon.
One of the playlists on this channel is called "neighbourhood photographer" which covers tutorials shot in urban and suburban areas. It's always a challenge to see different things of interest when you've been to an area many times yet this is the best way to create good images. You need to return to familiar locations many times. To do so, Ray often drives by car to an area but when he really wants to cover ground yet see things more clearly, he uses his bicycle…bike…and explores the given place.
Whether shooting landscape, macro, portrait or abstract images, Ray always tries to be aware of his surroundings to capture the best pictures possible. Part of this workflow means he is very aware of composition and uses various tips, such as the rule of thirds, as a good starting point in composing. He also likes to break rules from time to time to add new effects to his photos. Being aware of angles, shadows, shapes, lines, textures, patterns and colours goes a long way to making good pictures. He is also a big believer in "getting out there" and shooting as much as possible as it is the only way to improve and flex one's imagination. His message is it doesn't matter if you do your photography in the city, suburbs country, mountains or by the sea, just make sure you do it and follow your artistic passion.
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[@markferrell2470]

I love the shot from Bob, you are my new favorite KZbinr , the way you teach us and the way you can just take whatever like books or CDs to make things happen, Great Job

[@danyong190]

Appreciate the video. Compositional tool in the light you had shed gives me the confidence i needed to try it out. Thank you.

[@VisualArtPhotography]

Hey Dany. Glad the video helped and I hope you have a wonderful day.

[@alendorg]

Thank you very much, Ray, for the next very valuable tip with a single drop as a main subject in the whole composition. And I also remember your tip with a glycerin drop. At last we've got wonderful weather and I will try soon... Have a nice weekend and many, many thanks for your brilliant ideas!

[@VisualArtPhotography]

Hey Anatoly. Glad you are receiving better weather. Yes, it's time to "get out there" and enjoy our passion. You too have a nice weekend and thanks very much.

[@noeltrinidad9256]

Hey Ray, I'm relatively new in photography, i just unboxed my a6000 2 weeks ago after being a point and shoot type of guy for a long time. In my attempt to play around with the settings i found myself getting interested in macro photography. I just saw this video clip and the other one (mushroom) and i got hooked to your channel. Im learning a lot! excited to see more of your tutorials. Thank you for all your videos

[@VisualArtPhotography]

Hi Noel. Yes, macro photography is extremely exciting and I'm glad you are enjoying photography so much. There are many more macro photography videos in my macro photography playlist if you feel like checking that out. Thanks so much for the kind words and for watching. Good luck with your all your photography Noel.

[@abeersabri6161]

I really got inspired and very interested in macro.So I bought a macro lens and hoping to get some good shots and have lots of fun. Thank you Ray!

[@VisualArtPhotography]

Glad to hear you’ve joined the macro photography group. It will be lots of fun for you. Good luck and have a great day.

[@carlosalfredofloresvideofotogr]

Excellent, you are really good at inspiring people. Greetings from El Salvador in Central America.

[@VisualArtPhotography]

Hey there Carlos in wonderful El Salvador. Thanks very much and have a great week.

[@raycharbonneau2934]

Congrats on 10,000 subscribers, Ray! Not surprised, though -- your videos are really well done. :-) Keep up the great work!

[@VisualArtPhotography]

Thank you Ray. Glad you enjoy the tutorials and your words are much appreciated. Have a super day!

[@fernandosanz1369]

6:43 that's where I wan to get! After watching a previous video from you, I've just purchased a set of budget macro extension tube set. So I have 10 days to watch the videos and learn as much as possible before I can get to practice and hopefully create one of those 👍

[@VisualArtPhotography]

Hey Fernando. Thank you so much and the best of luck to you in your macro photography journey.

[@outtherewithsteve5057]

Thanks for these tutorials Ray. Your work is absolutely amazing!! cant wait to go out and capture some interesting flower shots!

[@VisualArtPhotography]

Hey Steve. I’m really happy that you’re enjoying the channel and thanks so much for the kind words. Good luck with your next flower project.

[@DiviPhotos]

Cool video nice

[@suzanjusipin4319]

good explanation, I'm new photography...hope can learn more from you.

[@VisualArtPhotography]

Thank you. Welcome to the channel and for sure you can learn new things. Feel free to check out all the different tutorials on the channel. Have a great day.

[@jairosros2968]

Hi i am a new Photographer, i have 3 years with my Camera, love macro photography Thank you so much for your Videos and tutorials my Name is Jaime, Thanks Again

[@VisualArtPhotography]

Hey Jaime. I'm really happy you love macro photography and that you are enjoying the tutorials. Thank you for the kind words and have a great day.

[@jairosros2968]

Visual Art Photography Tutorials i realy appreciate your respond i habe a lots of questions about macro, i am in contact with you later god bless you, thaks again. Jsime

[@KevinMphotography]

I really like the water drop at 4:40

[@VisualArtPhotography]

Thanks.

[@asdhtio]

Thank you sir

[@VisualArtPhotography]

Thanks for watching and have a great weekend.

[@JanA-nj5sz]

Thank you for sharing this. I have an idea. Using very thin thread possibly like fishing line to. create like a spider web on a flower spray it with water to look like dew might create an interesting effect.

[@VisualArtPhotography]

That sounds like a great idea Jan. Go for it and let me know how it works out. Thanks for watching.

[@k2jwd]

Thanks for the video. Inspiring. What macro lens did you use? How many mm of extension? It's hard to tell from the video. Were you using the 6D?

[@VisualArtPhotography]

Hi Melvin. I'm still using the same old Canon 50mm compact macro lens I bought decades ago. It actually only takes you to half life-size so I use the special Canon adapter to take me to life-size. Then, in this case, I added on a full set of Kenko extension tubes. I've toyed with purchasing a new 100mm macro lens but I really like the quality of what I already have so.... I am currently using the Canon 6D. Take care Melvin and thanks for the nice words.

[@hectormacias6853]

Ray thank you for the awesome tutorial on photographing with a water droplet in macro. my question is what lens did you use?

[@VisualArtPhotography]

Hi Hector. Funny you should ask since I changed my macro setup just the other day. For this particular shoot I used what I've been using the past 18 years...A compact Canon 50mm macro lens with life-size converter plus Kenko extension tubes to bring the whole thing to around 2x life-size. As mentioned however, I just bought a Canon 100mm macro lens but the beauty here is that my old life-size converter works with this lens so that, plus extension tubes should bring me to about 3x life-size. Hope that answers your query Hector. Thanks for watching and have a great day.

[@yujinlandscapephotography.7787]

Nice view, Thank! Ray..,

[@VisualArtPhotography]

You're so welcome. Thanks for watching the tutorial.

[@TryingtoLearntheuke]

Hi Ray-Just found your channel. Great tutorial! I know you talked about the extension tubes. I have a Sigma 105mm macro lens and the closest I can get to the subject is 12 inches. Is your ability to get that close because of those extension tubes? Thanks and now a new subscriber.

[@VisualArtPhotography]

Hi Pam. I use an old 50mm "macro" lens that really isn't a macro lens since it only gives me half life size. I then use a special converter that brings me to life size. Then I use extension tubes to bring me to approx. 2 and a half to 3 times life size. The problem with this setup is that I have to place my lens so close to the subject that lighting becomes a challenge and shooting insects is impossible. Your specially designed 105mm macro should give you life size to start with and a good working distance of around a foot. If you add on extension tubes you should be able to get to around 3 times life size and still have a good working distance. I really should buy a true macro lens. They are terrific. Pam, thanks so much for watching and subscribing and I hope this helps you.

[@jody1622]

Thank you!

[@VisualArtPhotography]

Hey Jody. You are so welcome and thank you for watching.

[@vanessacondliffe4687]

Hi Ray, love the tutorials. I am practicing the water drops, but keep seeing my camera reflection and whatever is behind me in the water drop (not good when it's my junk room). Can you help?

[@VisualArtPhotography]

Hi Vanessa. This is a very common problem in macro photography. If I’m really close I get that camera reflection too and there isn’t much I can do about it save for cloning it out in Photoshop. As far as all the background stuff you can buy a small light box that has sides and a top. You place your project in the light box, leaving one side open for your camera’s lens and take your photos. The background is then just white or whatever color you want since these things usually come with various color backgrounds. Light does go through the sides and the top. Hope that helps and thanks for the nice words. Ps...If you can stay far enough away from your project or at a certain angle or focus on a different plane in the water drop itself, you may be able to not see your camera in the drop.

[@ChileThailandtravel]

Thanks

[@VisualArtPhotography]

You're welcome Alex and thank you for watching.

[@louloua5252]

hi Ray, i love macro photography ; i have 100 mm macro lens but i cant get that kind of drop , pls can u tell me what to add in my lens to get same kind of drop photography ? ur lens seems very long, what are u using , ? thanks

[@VisualArtPhotography]

Hey Asgaraly. If you want to get closer and have greater magnification you can easily accomplish this by adding on extension tubes. I use extension tubes by a company called Kenko. There is no glass involved. You place the extension tube or tubes between the camera and the lens. You get more magnification because the lens is moved farther away from the camera's sensor.

[@louloua5252]

thx Ray for ur reply ; i love ur explanations, clear and slowly explained as i am not fluent in english , talking french , thanks

[@itsme_sachin]

Is their any way to do macro photography with kit lens....As its not possible to afford a expensive macro lens right now!! Or you do have any suggestion for a cheaper macro lens?

[@VisualArtPhotography]

Hey Sachin. While there is no substitute for a macro lens, you can take great close-up photos by using extension tubes with your lens. These will allow you to move closer and you may be able to purchase a set of extension tubes second hand for a reasonable price. Good luck to you!

[@itsme_sachin]

Visual Art Photography Tutorials That sounds good to me... thank you so much for the suggestion.

[@maanu9825]

gud work

[@VisualArtPhotography]

Thanks.

[@heatherb9575]

do you need a specific lens for this?

[@VisualArtPhotography]

Hi Heather. When you are trying to get really close to a subject, a macro lens is probably the most popular tool. It’s also extremely effective. You can also use something called extension tubes added on to a given lens to get you closer or even reverse mount a lens to a camera to get closer. Personally I use a 100 mm macro lens to give me life size photos and if I want to get even closer I add on extension tubes to the macro lens. Hope that helps and have a great day.

[@llamamamanly4329]

Do you use extension tubes ?

[@VisualArtPhotography]

Yes. I have a set of Kenko extension tubes.

[@llamamamanly4329]

Visual Art Photography Tutorials okay,thanks :)

[@bhuwandahal1172]

Hi i am bhuwan i am also a good photographer would you like to see my photography

[@VisualArtPhotography]

Sure Bhuwan. My email is [e-mail]

[@bhuwandahal1172]

Visual Art Photography Tutorials i have sent my photography please contact me

[@theformoverfunction]

Who is this Bob Ross of photography? 😂