So I'm off on holiday next week to spend time with my family and some French friends. A whole week of no work and visiting places with my camera attached to me constantly, I can't wait :o) Anyway, we have been informed that the area in France we're going to be staying is just as wet and rainy as it's been here in the UK and I thought it would be an ideal opportunity to try out some puddle photography. The two guys that instantly come to mind when I think of these shots are Richard @rich57 and John @johnnyfrs So here's a question for you both. Is there a particular technique to taking this type of shot, are you just incredibly lucky (unlikely on such a regular basis!) or possibly more to the point talented, or is there a degree of post processing that comes into play? I'd love to give this a go and come up with something that's even half as brilliant as the shots you two take. Here's the one and only attempt of mine so far.
@shirljess I hope I get some advice before I go away :o) Of course there must be many more photographers out there who have some knowledge of how to do this to great effect so anyone is welcome to stick their two penneth in.
Haha, well I don't mind telling. There's not a lot to it, certainly no particular processing involved. In general you just need to find a good puddle, doesn't have to be big, just need a little depth to it. The puddle I used for this shot was about as big as my foot
The main trick is getting down as low and close to the puddle/water as possible. I usually keep my finger under the camera so I can rest my finger on the water, so as to be really low down but not submerging my camera! Obviously puddles without fag ends and empty beer cans are preferable! I've found my P&S works best, with the lens set as wide as possible. Of course, you need a good subject for the reflection and I've found that I have to take a few shots to get the angles right. I don't lie down, just kneel/crouch, checking the result after each shot, adjusting the camera accordingly.
Here's a shot of John getting a puddle shot in the "classic" puddle mode!
Sometimes you don't need a puddle, this was taken by putting the camera on the floor and shooting the reflected wet paving stones
Hope this helps, and have a great (hopefully not too wet!) holiday...
@rich57 Richard, I really appreciate your prompt reply. When you say the puddle was as big as your foot do you mean the actual size of your foot or do you mean the depth? I can't believe you could get such a brilliant shot with such a small puddle! Also when you say you set the lens wide do you mean the aperture setting? Sorry to keep bugging you after you've been good enough to reveal your secrets :o) xx
The puddle was literally as long and wide as my foot. And the focal length was 4.1mm on my Lumix. It really makes a difference getting right down into the puddle!
@rich57@gabrielklee Wow you two! That is amazing how you have captured such amazing reflection with your rather easy techniques. Thanks os much for shareing with us. I will have to wait for the next rain storm to try this. I honeslty thought you had to have a HUGE puddle.
@rich57 I can't believe that was foot-sized - blimey - think of all the shots I've missed because let's face it we haven't been short of puddles. Great discussion Lisa!
@rich57 Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge
I have been wondering about this myself. I had assumed that you needed a massive puddle too! And I get my head around how the last one of your shots came from wet paving slabs.
I can't wait to give it a go - reckon there's going to be a bit of puddle-shot glut on 365 next week.
@rich57 --- Richard!!!! I'm impressed with your use of the puddles. I'm with @andycoleborn on this. I have lakes in mind when I see you reflection pictures. All the more awesome. :-)
@rich57 I have to echo everyone on here that these are some of my favorite pictures of late. I would also love the know the answer to @inara 's question, which may have been lost in the shuffle - where do you focus in puddle pics?
The crisp focus seems to be a hallmark of these shots, so it is a 'third of the way in' type of thing or something more?
@psychographer I did my first one today! I think this will be a new addiction for me! Thank you for starting the discussion and thank you to @rich57@gabrielklee@johnnyfrs for the hints and tips!
@inara@archaeofrog Gotta say, I haven't really thought about it too much. When I tried my DSLR I had it set to MF and played around with the focus, but with the P&S, I've just let it get on with it, if it didn't work then try a different angle.
I'd love to try this. I live in a desert, so puddles are few and far between, but I'll be keeping my eyes open! We SHOULD be having some good monsoon weather about now!
Thanks for starting this, @psychographer. And thanks @rich57 for sharing. I also had massive puddles in mind and was always wondering where you guys had found them, lol.
Here's what I tried today. Have to say, this is addictive and I will have a lot of fun in this UK 'summer' I think.
@traeumerlein I thought about creating a puddle, and may do it some time, but I'd have to be making a very small puddle. There's just no water to spare in the Southwest (heck, look at the drought monitor for the whole U.S. http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/ ... yikes). I'll do some pretty ridiculous things for a picture, but I'm reluctant to do that.
There was a thunderstorm last night and by this morning there was one puddle left that I could find, in my back yard. Nothing interesting, but it was practice, anyways! I really like your shot, Lisa!
@archaeofrog Hmmm, a pie pan? That could be interesting. Tell us if it works!
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The main trick is getting down as low and close to the puddle/water as possible. I usually keep my finger under the camera so I can rest my finger on the water, so as to be really low down but not submerging my camera! Obviously puddles without fag ends and empty beer cans are preferable! I've found my P&S works best, with the lens set as wide as possible. Of course, you need a good subject for the reflection and I've found that I have to take a few shots to get the angles right. I don't lie down, just kneel/crouch, checking the result after each shot, adjusting the camera accordingly.
Here's a shot of John getting a puddle shot in the "classic" puddle mode!
Sometimes you don't need a puddle, this was taken by putting the camera on the floor and shooting the reflected wet paving stones
Hope this helps, and have a great (hopefully not too wet!) holiday...
Also i used the same idea here:
And here it barely was a puddle, it was a massive water flood. Haha.
And also this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Of9D85pu9WU
@rich57 Wow! I'm amazed. I hope I can make this work :o) xx
@rich57 Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge
I have been wondering about this myself. I had assumed that you needed a massive puddle too! And I get my head around how the last one of your shots came from wet paving slabs.
I can't wait to give it a go - reckon there's going to be a bit of puddle-shot glut on 365 next week.
As the guys have said, the puddles don't have to be big or even clean water.
Thanks Gabriel for telling Rich, who then told me :D
@johnnyfrs by the way, i follow your work and like it a lot.
The crisp focus seems to be a hallmark of these shots, so it is a 'third of the way in' type of thing or something more?
Here's what I tried today. Have to say, this is addictive and I will have a lot of fun in this UK 'summer' I think.
@rich57 Thank you again for all the tips and advice!
@traeumerlein Incredible composition on that one! I was curious whether it would work well in portrait too ...
There was a thunderstorm last night and by this morning there was one puddle left that I could find, in my back yard. Nothing interesting, but it was practice, anyways! I really like your shot, Lisa!
@archaeofrog Hmmm, a pie pan? That could be interesting. Tell us if it works!