SmugMug Development Lab

The first moment we saw Corrie White's incredible macro images, we were floored. Corrie taught herself how to photograph these teeny, fleeting sculptures and found so much success she wrote an ebook teaching others how to do the same. We asked her a few behind-the-scenes questions about her experience in a small, small world. 

What inspired you to start capturing liquid drops? 

Years ago, I stumbled upon the Liquid Sculptures of Martin Waugh. I was fascinated with them and kept going back to marvel at his beautiful works. In early 2009, I had some free time and decided to give these a try for myself. I found I had a knack for doing these manually, and the rest is history. I’ve always had a love for macro photography and started with a Sony DSC-H1 point-and-shoot camera many years ago. I found this very limiting and got an entry-level DSLR. In 2008, I acquired a Canon EF f/2.8 100mm macro lens, which was essential for my water-drop photography. 

How much experience did you have with strobes before you started photographing droplets?

I had never used any external flashes before I did water-drop photography. Indeed, for the first half year I used my camera pop-up flash for my water drops. I knew nothing about flash-exposure compensation and soon learned why I was getting those cool—but annoying—light trails on my drops.

How exciting was it to discover the three-drop splash—a new drop structure? Will it be named in your honor?

I was so ecstatic when I saw the three-drop splash appear on my little screen. I did a little dance! Something entirely new that had never been done before. I was very excited. Will it be named in my honor? I can't say, but I really don't think so. Martin Waugh has the distinction of taking water drops to a new level with his two-drop collisions. I personally think anything after this is secondary. What you see currently in the water-drop world are extensions of his creations. I'm just happy to have discovered some new shapes in a world where it's hard to come up with something totally unique.

What type of publications and sites tend to purchase your work?

The interest in my water-drop art is very diverse, anywhere from photography magazines to children's magazines. There’s a lot of interest from the science world, especially in the field of fluid dynamics. One of the most memorable compliments came from a professor at MIT, who said they brought a tear of joy to his eye and shared the work with his students.

Have you ever been commissioned to shoot a specific drop image?

Not for any monetary value. I’ve been asked to do certain abstract images, but they’re very difficult, especially when I need equipment I don't have available to me. Right now I’m trying to find time to create an Amanita mushroom, which will be a difficult but fun project. I much prefer to work in an uncontrolled atmosphere with colors and shapes that I like.

What kind of droplet images are on the horizon for you to try? 

I really don't know what the future holds for me with respect to my water drops. Is there more undiscovered territory with them? I’ll certainly see what's possible and test the limits. I may try multiple valves, but that’s becoming commonplace and I prefer to find the unique. The possibilities are endless, and I would like to find more surprises in the liquids.

Say someone had only $200 to invest into trying this kind of photography. How would you recommend they use it?

I always suggest that before people go out and spend lots of money on electronics, first try out a manual setup to see if you like this type of photography. You only need to spend a small amount of cash on a flow regulator from an aquarium supply store, or an IV-drip contraption, to start out. Use your DSLR with manual controls, a regular lens with zoom, your pop-up flash, and see if this is what you want before you take it to the next level. It's a great hobby, especially in the cold winter months. Be careful, though—you can get hooked!

Buying a macro lens is a good investment if you like macro photography in general. Buying an electronic timing device can be useful for much more than water-drop photography. I’m familiar with Mumford's Time Machine: it will do time-lapse photography, ballistics, and many other types of photography. I would like to do some time-lapse experiments in the near future.

What have you learned from droplet photography?

I’ve learned that within each of us is a creative spirit. I’ve found mine in liquid-art photography. It’s an exhilarating, relaxing, and very rewarding experience. I find great satisfaction that so many people have been inspired by my water-drop work and the techniques I use. They’ve expressed gratitude that I’ve shared my experiences with them and, although some say I should keep some of my methods secret, I find the opposite to be a richer experience. "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" rings true for me, and I’m honored to see others experimenting with my methods.