Fruit Dropping

[Hughmac]

Since there's been some interest in dropping fruit into water, I though I would start a new thread to discuss methods etc.

Here's some poor efforts from last year - firstly one that I missed completely -


Free Fall Fruit by Hugh Russell, on Flickr

Then a couple that actually hit the water as I took the photo -


Fruit Drop by Hugh Russell, on Flickr


Strawberry Dip by Hugh Russell, on Flickr

As you can see, I need to concentrate more on lining the camera up with the water horizon, better lighting and a much bigger container! Looking for a cheap fish tank.

Hope we can have some fun !!

Cheers

Hugh

 

[Apple fanboy]

Sorry, but if your looking at poor examples, here is a better (worse) shot!

DSC_0167 by apple fanboy1, on Flickr

So this was shot about 18 months ago. At the time I had no flash and it's come out pretty poor.
My tips would be
Use a flash
Use smaller fruit (lemons make a big splash!)
Line the water line up properly.

I'll have another go at the weekend if time permits to see what I've learned.

 

[Hughmac]

Same here, now I have a couple of speedlights (can use one as a slave) I'd like to think things will improve ...
... but then again

Will have a go at the weekend when I'm off.

Cheers

Hugh

 

[JamesMike]

Since there's been some interest in dropping fruit into water, I though I would start a new thread to discuss methods etc.

Here's some poor efforts from last year - firstly one that I missed completely -


Free Fall Fruit by Hugh Russell, on Flickr

Then a couple that actually hit the water as I took the photo -


Fruit Drop by Hugh Russell, on Flickr


Strawberry Dip by Hugh Russell, on Flickr

As you can see, I need to concentrate more on lining the camera up with the water horizon, better lighting and a much bigger container! Looking for a cheap fish tank.

Hope we can have some fun !!

Cheers

Hugh

Hugh are you using a tripod for these shots?

 

[Hughmac]

Hugh are you using a tripod for these shots?

Definitely √, plus a remote to fire the camera.
That way, you can concentrate on looking at where the fruit is falling and try and co-ordinate the shots.
I also pre-focussed the camera manually on something placed in the centre of the bowl before filling it with water, and then left it on manual focus, otherwise it would try and focus while the fruit was dropping and miss the shot altogether.

Cheers

Hugh

 

[JamesMike]

Definitely √, plus a remote to fire the camera.
That way, you can concentrate on looking at where the fruit is falling and try and co-ordinate the shots.
I also pre-focussed the camera manually on something placed in the centre of the bowl before filling it with water, and then left it on manual focus, otherwise it would try and focus while the fruit was dropping and miss the shot altogether.

Cheers

Hugh

I will try those tips to see how they work. Thanks Hugh!

 

[Cheese&Apple]

As you can see, I need to concentrate more on lining the camera up with the water horizon, better lighting and a much bigger container! Looking for a cheap fish tank.

I think that would do it Hugh. You could also try a black background. Patience is key...especially when cleaning up the shot in post.

~ Peter

 

[Hughmac]

I think that would do it Hugh. You could also try a black background. Patience is key...especially when cleaning up the shot in post.

~ Peter

Image

Lovely - where did the lighting come from Peter?

Cheers

Hugh

 

[MacRy]

I echo Peter's comments about the black background. My first attempt wasn't brilliant but here's my setup if it helps.

Camera on tripod, flash at 10 o'clock to the rear, black card behind the glass. Shot at ISO400, F16, 1/160

I only had a blue glass and it wasn't particularly clean so there is a fingerprint in there and some unwanted reflections.

 

[Cheese&Apple]

Lovely - where did the lighting come from Peter?

Cheers

Hugh

Thanks Hugh. I used fixed lighting for this (no flash) as I found it easier to control reflections off the fish tank glass. The 3 lights were some old halogen construction lights that I had kicking around. I had 1 light at each end (sides) and 1 pointing up through the glass bottom of the tank (I had the tank elevated by sitting it on a couple of paint cans). The whole set-up looked very professional.

The pepper is a good thing to try as you can control weight and bouyancy. A pepper, as is, won't sink at all so I poked holes in it beside the stem and put water inside. Lots of trial and error but it was easier than something like limes or lemons that sank too fast and create too much splash. Of course you need a big water container for something as large as a pepper.

Two other suggestions...

1) It looks like some of the shots here are very close. Leave some breathing room and crop if necessary. The space is good to allow for unpredictable movement and splash.

2) Don't use fruit and vegetables that your significant other is planning on using for dinner that night without replacing them.

~ Peter

 

[Apple fanboy]

If people do have another go, it would be useful to show a wide shot of your set up and settings used.

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I think that would do it Hugh. You could also try a black background. Patience is key...especially when cleaning up the shot in post.

~ Peter

Image

Loverly. How close are those lights and did you cover them?

 

[kenoh]

I think that would do it Hugh. You could also try a black background. Patience is key...especially when cleaning up the shot in post.

~ Peter

Image

Thats fabulous! what water vessels are you using?

 

[Cheese&Apple]

If people do have another go, it would be useful to show a wide shot of your set up and settings used.

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Loverly. How close are those lights and did you cover them?

Thanks AFB. The lights were about an inch (25mm) from the tank and not covered. The tank is fairly large so the lights themselves were well out of the shot.

Another advantage of fixed lighting is that, for me and my lack of experience with indoor lighting and flash, it was easier to set-up the shot. I just had the pepper floating in the tank while I adjusted the lights, exposure, focus, etc.

Thats fabulous! what water vessels are you using?

Thanks Ken. Just an old fish tank that I rescued out of someone's curbside garbage. I have no idea of the volume size ...might be about 30 gal. (136 litres). From experience...you do want to make sure the tank is in the right spot before filling it. I had it sitting on a flat solid surface before deciding I wanted light underneath - forget trying to move a fish tank that is even 3/4 filled.

~ Peter

 

[kenoh]

Thanks AFB. The lights were about an inch (25mm) from the tank and not covered. The tank is fairly large so the lights themselves were well out of the shot.

Another advantage of fixed lighting is that, for me and my lack of experience with indoor lighting and flash, it was easier to set-up the shot. I just had the pepper floating in the tank while I adjusted the lights, exposure, focus, etc.



Thanks Ken. Just an old fish tank that I rescued out of someone's curbside garbage. I have no idea of the volume size ...might be about 30 gal. (136 litres). From experience...you do want to make sure the tank is in the right spot before filling it. I had it sitting on a flat solid surface before deciding I wanted light underneath - forget trying to move a fish tank that is even 3/4 filled.

~ Peter

Cool... So serious setup then! Cant wait for weekend when I will have an hour to play

 

[Hughmac]

Just bought a fish tank from The Range; it's plastic but looks optically good, 8 quid.

Also planning to have a go at the weekend.

Cheers

Hugh

 

[Apple fanboy]

Thats three of us then. Think I've got that third place all sorted then!

 

[Laird Knox]

This is one I did a few years ago. The guy at the bottom was clamped horizontally behind the tank. I used two off-camera speed lights. The waterline was removed in post.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Purchased some strawberries tonight. If I can keep any of them for tomorrow, should be good to go.

 

[Hughmac]

This is one I did a few years ago. The guy at the bottom was clamped horizontally behind the tank. I used two off-camera speed lights. The waterline was removed in post.

Image

Nice!!

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Purchased some strawberries tonight. If I can keep any of them for tomorrow, should be good to go.

I just knew there was something I meant to buy

Have some carrots and potatoes though

Cheers

Hugh

 

[Apple fanboy]

Nice!!

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I just knew there was something I meant to buy

Have some carrots and potatoes though

Cheers

Hugh

The wife's reaching out on her forum for a fish tank now. Would be better than the plastic container I used.

 

[Laird Knox]

The wife's reaching out on her forum for a fish tank now. Would be better than the plastic container I used.

I bought a tank surprisingly cheap at a local pet store.

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Nice!!

Thanks.

I've always want to do more shots but I don't really have any ideas that inspire me.

 

[Apple fanboy]

So thought I'd have another play. I ordered a Miops NT to sound trigger the fruit dropping with some success. A lot less missed shots than my last effort. I used a glass vase, which wasn't really wide enough for what I needed, and fixed LED lights.
I'm not entirely happy with it, as the fruit could be a little sharper. I've played with it in LR for a while as well.

Pointers more than welcome!

_DSC1275 by apple fanboy1, on Flickr

 

[Hughmac]

So thought I'd have another play. I ordered a Miops NT to sound trigger the fruit dropping with some success. A lot less missed shots than my last effort. I used a glass vase, which wasn't really wide enough for what I needed, and fixed LED lights.
I'm not entirely happy with it, as the fruit could be a little sharper. I've played with it in LR for a while as well.

Pointers more than welcome!

[url=https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8847/18080459539_a76d434cee_h.jpg]Image[/url]_DSC1275 by apple fanboy1, on Flickr

Wow, that's a lot of money to spend on a strawberry! Does the MIOPS need a camera wi-fi connection?
Also, where did you have the lights?

With my first attempt (first post above), I pre-focussed on a toothpaste box (anything will do) standing upright in the centre of the bowl before filling it with water, and maybe got sharper fruit because of that.

I think I'm going shopping later; I'd like to try a ½ lemon, and will have a go tomorrow.

Cheers

Hugh

 

[Apple fanboy]

Wow, that's a lot of money to spend on a strawberry! Does the MIOPS need a camera wi-fi connection?
Also, where did you have the lights?

With my first attempt (first post above), I pre-focussed on a toothpaste box (anything will do) standing upright in the centre of the bowl before filling it with water, and maybe got sharper fruit because of that.

I think I'm going shopping later; I'd like to try a ½ lemon, and will have a go tomorrow.

Cheers

Hugh

I did pre focus (shooting manual), but the strawberry moves quite a bit. I was already quite hi on my ISO, so didn't want to increase my f stop or slow my shutter, as that was introducing blur.
I think I'd have more success with speed lights so might give it a go again tomorrow unless I go out.
As for the Miops, it will get more outings than just the strawberry if I keep it. Apparently I didn't get the one you can pair with your iPhone (Bluetooth) so I'm probably going to send it back.
Here's a wide shot of my setup.

 

[kenoh]

I did pre focus (shooting manual), but the strawberry moves quite a bit. I was already quite hi on my ISO, so didn't want to increase my f stop or slow my shutter, as that was introducing blur.
I think I'd have more success with speed lights so might give it a go again tomorrow unless I go out.
As for the Miops, it will get more outings than just the strawberry if I keep it. Apparently I didn't get the one you can pair with your iPhone (Bluetooth) so I'm probably going to send it back.
Here's a wide shot of my setup.

My wife would go nuts if i did that rig in our house...