Waterdrops and splashes are a fun and challenging thing to photograph. You can use plain or colored water, but you will get more consistent and cleaner results if you include an additive to your liquid, such as Xanthan gum.
In this video, watch how I make the liquid mixture I use for my waterdrop photographs. I start by creating a concentrate of water + xanthan gum and then use that each time I make a colored mixture to photograph.
Be sure to catch me at this year’s Out of Chicago online conference (April 9–11), where I will be discussing my gear and set-up for waterdrop photography. Plus there are a BUNCH of other photographers giving presentations that you won’t want to miss!
Watch the Video:
Subscribe to Nicolesy on YouTube
Out of Chicago LIVE!
- Connect, engage and energize your photography alongside the world’s best photographers
- Out of Chicago LIVE! | April 9-11th, 2021 | Learn more and register at www.outofchicago.com
Take a peek at the sessions you’ll have access to during this event. All sessions will be recorded and available for viewing after the live conference.
Waterdrops and splashes are a fun and challenging thing to photograph. You can use plain or colored water, but you will get more consistent and cleaner results if you include an additive to your liquid, such as Xanthan gum.
In this video, watch how I make the liquid mixture I use for my waterdrop photographs. I start by creating a concentrate of water + xanthan gum and then use that each time I make a colored mixture to photograph.
Be sure to catch me at this year’s Out of Chicago online conference (April 9–11), where I will be discussing my gear and set-up for waterdrop photography. Plus there are a BUNCH of other photographers giving presentations that you won’t want to miss!
Watch the Video:
Subscribe to Nicolesy on YouTube
Out of Chicago LIVE!
- Connect, engage and energize your photography alongside the world’s best photographers
- Out of Chicago LIVE! | April 9-11th, 2021 | Learn more and register at www.outofchicago.com
Take a peek at the sessions you’ll have access to during this event. All sessions will be recorded and available for viewing after the live conference.

Nicole S. Young is a photographer, published author, and educator specializing in Lightroom, Photoshop, and photography. She is best known for her books on food photography but is widely versed in various photographic genres, including landscape, nature, stock, travel, and lifestyle.
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Hi, many thanks for your excellent video on creating liquid for waterdrop photography. I missed the Out of Chicago event. Do you have any other tuition on waterdrop photography available? Many thanks, Guy.
Hi Guy, I don’t currently have anything available but it is something I may do in the near future. Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to stay updated on my releases :) https://nicolesy.com/newsletter
Thanks for your video. I have bought the Xanthum gum powder. I’m not sure how much to add to a cup of warm water. Also, how long does your Xanthum gum + water mixture last in or out of the fridge? Thanks for your help, I’m dying to try the splashes!