Splash
Every photo tells a story. With splash photography, you don’t just tell a story. You create an image that is engaging and exciting. In fact, your image will grab the attention of the audience. Some viewers will even ask themselves: How was this image taken?
Camera and Lens
Obviously, splash photography requires a camera that can capture a split-second shot. Smartphones and most compact digital cameras will give you moving water shots at best, but the final image is usually blurry. What you need for splash photography is a DSLR or mirrorless camera. These cameras allow you to adjust the shutter speed.
Why is a macro lens a better choice?
All professional lenses are suitable for splash photography. If you are looking for the best results, it is a good idea to use a true macro lens. In addition to allowing you to shoot at close range, a macro lens also produces attractive photos of water droplets (like computer-generated images).
Light
Splash photography, like any other style of photography, requires adequate lighting. You will need at least one light source for lighting. This can be an external flash (speedlight) or studio lights. You can also use a reflector or second light source, strategically placed on the other side of the first light source. This will give you a softer, more natural light that will add depth to your subject.
Camera Settings
As with any style of photography, there is no one set of camera settings that will result in a perfect splash photo. However, there are a few golden tips to keep in mind when setting up your camera. Ideally, shoot at your highest sync speed (usually 1/200 on a 35mm camera). For aperture, shoot at f11 to f16. Make sure you have enough depth of field and that all of the splash is in focus . A relatively low ISO is recommended. However, since you are shooting with a lower flash power, you may need to increase it. Most modern cameras today produce little noise at ISO 400 and even 800.
Using Mirror Lock-Up Mode in Splash Photography
Mirror Lock-Up mode on DSLR cameras is used to increase sharpness on long exposures. This feature prevents unnecessary camera shake by flipping the mirror up. This is a useful technique for splash photography, where everything happens so quickly. Mirror Lock-Up flips the mirror up before the shutter opens, meaning you take the picture immediately when you press the shutter. With Mirror Lock-Up enabled, you won't be able to see anything through the viewfinder and you'll have to enable Live View .