Rainbows in Miniature


Trying to image dew or guttation drops often shows up the out of focus light patterns from other drops. Careful positioning can show some of the optical effects of a single drop, which of course are the basis for the rainbow. Using the largest possible aperture captures enough of the light cone for the colour bands to be seen.

In focus guttation drops and droplet bow Rainbow from a single drop

The drop forming this pattern is several centimetres below the in-focus drops.

The brighter region inside the bow is quite obvious.

Rainbow colours from a single drop Droplet rainbow

Larger 'magnifications' can show the full range of colours expected in a rainbow.


Canon EOS 20D   April 2007

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