JPG: Stories: How To: Drops on Glass

How To

Drops on Glass

By Susan Littlefield

2 Nov 2009

I'm always looking for something new and interesting to photograph. Although my 'little people' photographs give me the greatest pleasure, I've really enjoyed capturing these "drops on glass" shots as well. After posting several of them, it was suggested that I write an explanation as to how I achieved the results.

With a little ingenuity and a couple of props, you can create some delightful photographs. All of the photos you see here were taken using corn syrup, and following these steps:

1. Gather the items you want to photograph and place them on a flat surface. I've used marbles, push pins, candy, gum balls, pieces of glass, and fresh flowers.

2. Get a sheet of glass and elevate it over the objects. I use 3 or 4 paperback books if I'm photographing smaller objects. Place the books on either side of the objects, then place the glass over the books.

3. For my flower shots (i.e. Summer Colors Last), I put the flowers in a vase on the floor, and suspended the glass between two chair seats.

3. Using a fairly small object, such as a skewer or a straw, dip the end into the corn syrup, then allow the drops of syrup to fall onto the glass. You can experiment with large drops and small drops, perfectly round drops, or elongated drops. Be creative.

4. Using a macro lens (mine is 60mm), with your camera mounted on a tripod, focus on the drops. I alternate between focusing on one and focusing on many. I also switch between auto focus and manual focus.

5. There are no set rules; bring the camera closer to the drops, move the camera away from the drops. Use flash, don't use flash. The important thing is to experiment and find the look you want to achieve.

That's all there is to it. For me, the most important thing is to have fun.

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Hi there!

thought you might like this submission to JPG Magazine. If you do, vote it up!

http://jpgmag.com/stories/13862

Thanks,
—The JPG team

34 responses

Maura Wolfson-Foster gave props (2 Nov 2009):
Thank you SO much Susan....you are brilliant ~ !!! :) voted
Kristina Gale gave props (2 Nov 2009):
Wonderful! Voted
J. Harris Blacklist said (2 Nov 2009):
This is simply stunning interesting work!!! my vote!
suzanne said (2 Nov 2009):
These are outstanding works of art....will have to try it. thank you for sharing!! YES!
Deborah Downes gave props (3 Nov 2009):
Oh, Susan, this is fabulous. This truly deserves to be published. Wish I could vote more than once.
Donna Whitecotton gave props (3 Nov 2009):
Outstanding story...this is so cool....I am so glad you shared the "how to".
Lanis Rossi gave props (3 Nov 2009):
You are very creative!! Voted
Joy B gave props (4 Nov 2009):
This is so creative - I love all the photos!!! Just gorgeous!
eithne mythen gave props (5 Nov 2009):
Yeah, i had figured it out about the glass, but i thought it was water, Have to have a go at this as I love the results, the buttons is my fav...
Anne Worner said (5 Nov 2009):
Yup, I reckon this should be in JPG magazine!! Thanks for all the info on this Susan.
Suzanne Arnold gave props (5 Nov 2009):
Great story - so creative and results in wonderful photos! voted!
diana anderson gave props (6 Nov 2009):
cool!! i wondered how you did those. now... i wonder about using other liquids?!?
diana anderson gave props (6 Nov 2009):
p.s. the button shot is my fav!
Steve Baker gave props (8 Nov 2009):
Voted! As ever, gorgeous work. Nice to see them all in one place.
Michael Ball gave props (8 Nov 2009):
Fantastic information and the shots are incredible!! You rock Susan!! Voted!!
Dawn Duffield gave props (8 Nov 2009):
This is soooooooo RAD!!!!!!! Robert and I still haven't tried it :-(
Jerry Pittman gave props (8 Nov 2009):
Thanx for sharing your ingenuity with us. With winter fast approaching, a new technique and photo fun indoors. GMV
Ron LaFond gave props (8 Nov 2009):
I'm glad you wrote this story. I really appreciate hearing how you do it. The images are such a joy to look at. Most all of these would make terrific, LARGE, matted and framed images. They are gallery perfect, Susan. It's a "Yeah!" R
Oregon Curly gave props (9 Nov 2009):
Ditto Ron. I tried water, but never thought of corn syrup, perfect. Yes, absolutely publishable. (ps blackberry jam doesn't work at all)
Karen Zimmerman gave props (9 Nov 2009):
This is so rad! I can' t wait to try it! Thank you, Susan.
Karen Zimmerman gave props (9 Nov 2009):
Oops, voted!
Hunaid H gave props (9 Nov 2009):
cool
Brigitte Lenihan gave props (10 Nov 2009):
Thanx for sharing this!! Love it.. Would have never guessed corn syrup! I am going to try Honey too!
Karen Roberts gave props (10 Nov 2009):
Yes publish this! You do amazing work!
Sharon Kearns said (10 Nov 2009):
Excellent work!! Now i have to try it!!
Brenda said (10 Nov 2009):
This is incredible and seems so simple. Going to give it a try. Thanks for sharing it with us, and inspiring me.
Dawn Hayes gave props (10 Nov 2009):
Awesome, I will give a try!!!!
Lisa Toboz Schreckengost said (10 Nov 2009):
this is great information and well-written too (the photographs are gorgeous!
Regenia Brabham gave props (11 Nov 2009):
Thanks for sharing your secrets Susan. This looks like a fun project for a rainy day and your examples are beautiful.
Aubrey's Oma gave props (11 Nov 2009):
Thanks Susan!
Sandy Tyler gave props (11 Nov 2009):
Awesome article, love the photos, got my vote!!
Devin Hayes gave props (11 Nov 2009):
Brilliant. Beautiful.
Karen Menyhart gave props (12 Nov 2009):
thanks so much for the clever idea! I love trying new things!
♥ Cairenn ♥ said (12 Nov 2009):
!! FAB !!!! FAB !!!! FAB !! Susan! - Thank You for sharing!