I'll Drop By Later!

I like the impressive size of the drop, Lori, and I like the tree and sky in the drop are very discernible. I also like the pink bg. The trick to getting refracted flowers in drops is to go out after a rain (or better yet, dew) and just study the drops. You need to study the angles to get the flowers, and avoid distracting backgrounds (as you did here). No different than as you did with your flora post. I like how you got the refracted images in your floral post in focus. I use a macro lens and often an extension tube. The bigger the drop, the larger the refraced image, but you need to work fast then! I have a few examples in my gallery of refracted images of flowers in drops, including one posted in July of this year. 

I see that you posted a "larger" image here, Lori, but your larger image seems to be the same size as the main image. However, you're making progress with the posting techs. I hope I was able to help in answering your posting questions in your floral post. 

Thanks, Scott. I really didn't post 2 image sizes here!  perhaps the site resized it? IDK. I did however, take your suggestion and post a larger image of my flora post...as another comment though. I'll figure it out sooner or later!!

Lori, I think you must have used the first "Choose file" option (the one to use if you are posting a larger image) when you posted this image. Consequently, the site shows that a larger size is available to view even if it is the same size file. With regard to the floral post, you actually posted a different crop or comp. That's fine to do if you are looking for opinions on which crop or comp people like better, but the idea behind the "larger view" option is to post the exact same image in a larger size when posting the original image. Just review other posts and the posting guidlines I cited and you'll quickly catch on. 

Hi Lori,  welcome to NPN and the Macro/CU gallery.  This is an excellent, up-close look at a water drop and it's refractive (lensing) properties, with the green/purple motif working very well.  The challenge in getting a sharp image inside the drop arises because the drop is acting as a magnifying lens.  To record a sharp image in the drop, the subject of the "drop camera" must be close behind and your camera must be in the right place in front of the drop that you're trying to image.  While those positions can be calculated if you know the drop's diameter (it's close to being a ball lens), even I (an optical physicist) don't want to be doing that .  It's much more fun just slowly moving the camera back and forth in front of the drop and watching through the viewfinder.  At high magnifications (say 1/2 to 2X lifesize) you may need to use live view mode or hold the aperture closed so that you can see through the camera when both the edges of the drop and the image through the drop are sharp.  Lots of damp knees involved in the process, but also highly rewarding.

Thanks, Mark, I'll have to play with this more. I didn't know exactly how it was done, but I have more ammo now. It may rain a bit later today... if it does I'll give a go!  Scott Lanz has also been very informative and kind. 
Lori

You've got lots of great technical advice, but I just wanted to say I love this drop and the size of it and the background.

Thank you, Barbara, how kind of you! 

Congrats on your first WP!
The lavender compliments the green perfectly, and the focus is spot on.
Sandy