Rob Loughrey

Photography

Droplets of water magnify whatever is around them and can be used as their own macro lens. I built a makeshift platform between two small tables and used a piece of 16" x 20" glass from an old photograph which was placed horizontally over the ground on my patio. I rubbed a coat of liquid carnuba car wax onto the glass and then used a small atomizer water bottle to spray the water onto the glass. The carnuba wax does an excellent job of making the water bead just as it would on your car. I then setup the pot of flowers under the glass and placed books under until It was at the right height in comparison to the glass. Using a tripod to lock my camera in place, I setup so my camera was perfectly level facing straight down. After getting the correct focus, I moved the flowers around left to right slightly until I was happy with what was being magnified in the beads of water, focused and fired some shots.

Photography

On a fall trip to Black Water Falls State Park, I visited Elakala Falls along Shays Run. There are 5 different falls along this watershed. This image shows the first falls which is only a short walk from the park lodge. The water levels were low making it easier to get close to the falls without getting covered in water spray from the falls. I often wear a pair of hip waders which allow me to get into the water and down close to the stream. I noticed a series of small pools that were filled with water bubbles and leaves and composed my shot with this area as the foreground. I used a polarizer to help reduce the glare and reduce light which allows for a longer shutter speed of 3-4 seconds. The long shutter speed creates the swirling effect of the bubbles and leaves in the pool of water.