How can I photograph a scene refracted inside a water droplet in extreme macro?
Asked 5/19/2013
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I’d like to make an extreme macro photo where the image inside a water droplet appears sharp while the surrounding leaf/background is heavily blurred. Is this mainly done in post-processing, or is it mostly an in-camera technique? What kind of setup and focusing approach is typically used?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
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While there is no doubt some post-processing involved, that's not the important part of creating this image. Honestly, it is just an extreme close-up (probably much larger than 1:1, using either extension tubes or a lens like the Canon EF MP-E 65/2.8 1-5X Macro lens) of a water droplet on a leaf.
The water droplet itself is just out of focus, but it is acting as a wide-angle lens on the scene beyond. You may note that the picture is displayed upside-down; the droplet is actually hanging from the leaf, not sitting on top of it.
The only real secrets to this image are imagination, care, a macro lens (or reversed lens), and just maybe a spray bottle full of water (if the dew wasn't cooperating).
Originally by user2719. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user2719
13y ago
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This effect is mostly created in-camera, not through heavy post-processing. A water droplet can act like a tiny lens, refracting the scene behind it. In shots like this, the key is to focus carefully on the refracted image seen in the droplet, while the nearby leaf and background naturally fall out of focus because depth of field is extremely shallow.
Typical ways to shoot it:
- Use true macro capability, often beyond 1:1 magnification.
- This can be done with a dedicated high-magnification macro lens, extension tubes, or a reversed lens setup.
- Position a droplet on a leaf or similar surface; a spray bottle can help if natural dew isn’t available.
- Compose with the scene you want reflected/refracted behind the droplet.
- Focus manually and very precisely on the image inside the droplet.
So the “look” comes mainly from extreme magnification, careful alignment, and precise focus. Post-processing may be used only lightly for normal finishing touches like contrast, color, or cleanup, but it is not the main trick.
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