Beneath the Surface: Capturing the Magic of Water Droplets in Photography

When the weather isn’t particularly pleasant, I frequently turn to different styles of photography to keep myself occupied. Capturing water droplet impacts transforms me into somewhat of a mad scientist, while it also serves as a reminder of nature’s beauty and intricacy.

Just as raindrops meet and form delicate patterns upon the surface of a lake, I possess a rather intricate arrangement that I have assembled over the years to capture comparable instances. I utilize a “camera trigger” which is operated via my iPhone to meticulously release one droplet of water, followed by a delay and then a second droplet. During this process, my camera is activated along with several external flashes.

Modifying the size of the droplet and the interval between them produces some astonishing visuals that mirror the chaotic yet captivating patterns seen in nature. I employ colored plastic filters over the flashes as well as dyes in the water to enhance the contrast in the images, much like how the vivid hues of blossoms or the shimmering wings of a butterfly catch our gaze.

All of this transpires in total darkness, using the flashes to assist in capturing the exposure, akin to how a solitary ray of sunlight can illuminate a water droplet on a leaf, unveiling a concealed world of magnificence and marvel.

The Marblehead Current proudly collaborates with photographer Rick Cuzner, who has been documenting local wildlife for over 16 years.