How to photograph a glass of water with your phone

ONE GLASS · TWO HEIGHTS

Make the waterline easy to see

Put an ordinary glass by a window. Take two phone photos from different heights and see how the rim and the water surface separate.

Already have a water photo? See which themes are open. If your original fits the brief, sign in to enter it. Entries are public.

Working with moving water? Try the splash comparison. If the window has fogged up, compare focus on the droplets and the view beyond.

What changes when you lift the phone?

A · Lens near water level
B · Lens a little higher

Drawn diagrams of the same glass from two camera heights.

Make both photos in four minutes

  1. Set the scene. Place a half-full, clear glass on a level table near a window. Give the glass a plain background and wait for the water to settle.
  2. Try the first height. Hold the lens roughly level with the water surface. Tap an edge of the glass to help your phone find focus, then take the first photo.
  3. Raise the phone a little. Keep the glass and lighting in the same place. Tip the phone down gently to keep the whole glass in the frame. Take the second photo.
  4. Look for two clear edges. In your gallery, compare the rim and waterline. Choose the frame that shows the shape you wanted, and check reflections before sharing.
What if the glass disappears into the background?

Try a sheet of plain darker paper behind the glass, or move a small step sideways and watch where the window highlights go. Change one thing, then make a fresh frame.

For another example of using light from the side to show shape through a glass, read Nikon’s at-home photography guide.

Try the bright shape beside the glass

With the glass near a window, look at the tabletop beyond it. If you see a bright curve or patch, take one close photo of the shape and one wider photo that shows what made it. If the light is soft, try the edge of the glass’s shadow instead.

Already have a frame you like? Choose an open theme and enter one original photo if it fits the brief. Sign in to enter. Entries are public.

Choose one original to enter

Keep both frames for practice. If you want to enter one, open the matching brief and choose your own original.

Compare your photos privately →

Choose a current theme that fits your photo.

Free beta. Sign in to enter. Entered photos, nicknames and scores are public. Read the current entry rules.

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