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Refracting Dew Droplets

I’ve always wanted to take pictures of refracting dew droplets, but thought I had to wait until I had a super strong macro lens. Of course there is a digital simulation of a macro lens in my pocket camera, but I hadn’t thought it would be strong enough to get so close.

I was tramping about in the snow with my daughter, and noticed her taking close ups of the branches in the sun where there was some melting going on. She was actually capturing water droplets, but not the reflection.

I decided to try some shots of refracting dew droplets. The macro lens simulation on my pocket camera couldn’t get in very close, but I discovered it was taking clear pictures from about six inches away. I came home and cropped this one to zoom up even closer, and discovered I had captured the exact image I had wanted in the droplet!

Now that I know I can get refracting dew droplets with the macro lens setting on my pocket camera I’ll be having a barrel of fun with it!

Macro Photography Site Worth Seeing

Macro photography, especially refracting dew droplets, is something that has always facsinated me. The closer you get to an object the more you can identify with it, and some of God’s most amazing creations are so small we usually pass right over them.

I stumbled upon LordV Macros, a terrific website dedicated to macro photography today, and simply had to post a link here. Brian Valentine, a retired British microbiologist, has posted some stunning macro photography here.

For his refracting dew droplet shots, Dr. Valentine, or LordV, as he calls himself, uses a technique called stacking images. He takes several versions of the same composition, focusing on a different part of the composition each time, he then uses stacking images software to put the parts that are in sharp focus together. This allows a much greater depth of field than would otherwise be possible.

If you are at all interested in macro photography, stacking images or refracting dew droplets, do take a minute to visit his site. He explains how he achieves his macro photography masterpieces, and also tells what stacking images software and camera equipment he has chosen. You might want to take a peek simply to enjoy the terrific insect faces and refracting dew droplets he has composed!

Don’t know what refracting dew droplets are? Go to his site and see. You’ll be more than impressed! (And no, I didn’t take the photo of the fly, but I hope to achieve that much detail in the future!