Some time ago I was impressed with stunning water splash photos some photographers did. I saw flowers, birds, bulls, horses. I was curious how they actually did it?
Now I know the answer:-)
First, you need a huge set of water splash images and second, many hours of assiduous work. And here is my water splash butterfly:

Water splash butterfly
As you can see at my Layer palette, I did many trials, errors, experimentation. See how many layers turned off:-) But for me it’s only one way to learn – error and trial, and trial again. This what we call experience:-)

Layer pallete for water splash photography.
These photos I’ve used as a source to combine them in my composition:

Water splash retouching.
Not so much, right? I had a really great source of images (thanks Alex
and I did not need dozens files to work with.
I’ve spend 6 hours for this job.
What do you need to know to do similar picture:
- Photoshop masking
- Filter Liquify
- Color correction
- Healing and Cloning tools
How to create such water splashes you can read at Alex’s blog on Pixiq.com. It’s fun:-)
And don’t be afraid to try!
Genia
Thank you for looking. Any feedback and suggestions are very welcome!
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Alex & Genia, what beautiful work. Time, patience, and love are key to great work! Bravo on the execution!
Vadim
fantastic walkthrough!!
the whole blog is full of great ideas and concepts!
but how did you adjust the background like the output image (the blue/white gradient)??
only with layers?
Liquify is your friend :). Impressive.
Thank you, Vadim:-)
Time is not a key, we don’t have a time with two toddles and without grandparents and babysitters:-) But I really like this quote: “You don’t need more time ….you just need to decide.”
Thank you, Marc. What do you mean “adjust the background”? The gradient was in the original image.
Thank you, Alex. Sometimes Liquify is your enemy, when you can’t stop:-)))
Nice and clean, perfect, I like it!
It looks amazing!
yes, but you have four different images and four different bg…
so how did you merge them together? only with masking in photoshop?
Yes, only with masking. I have a video with water retouching. So you can see the process: Retouching water splash in photoshop.
Very nice example! However, as a person getting up there in years, when my layers palette gets this extensive, I HAVE to start naming them…Layer 1, Layer 2, Layer 3, just won’t cut it for my aging and forgetful neurons! Impressive, keep showing us how!
Thank you, Terry.
I know, I have to name my layers and be more organized:-) May be it will come some days:-) I am so in a hurry now.
very cool, i got to try it once.. seen on 500px and did all the way til here
greetz
armin
hi. impressive work – respect
Have you tired to do the same with letters (liquid typography)??
It’s really good work!
I like it!!!
Thank you. I work only with photography, not a typography.
Really Fantastic.
One question which program do you use for remote shooting with the canon.
Best Regards
LEON
Thank you! We use Adobe LightRoom
That’s an awesome use of drops.
Nicely realized, I like the idea that no object was used but only waterdrops to form the art visual.
Thank you!
Wow. I love your site! Wonderful images and great work.
Awesome work! I’ve been in the photo industry about 16 years. Have a love macro and water. You’ve combined both worlds perfectly! :0)
I’m an amateur photographer and this is very helpful for me. Thanks for putting all those hours into finding out the correct settings!