Apr 22, 2011 17:31 GMT  ·  By

One of the most recent Windows 7 theme packs published by Microsoft on the Windows Personalization Gallery brings an amazing selection of visual hydro-poetry to desktops.

The Waterdrops theme by J.P. Peter is an invitation to discover the incredible world of water drops in minute detail.

It’s not often that the photographers behind Windows 7 themes get to speak about their work, but Jan .P. Peter did offer his perspective on photography and on the Waterdrops theme pack.

“On a blog I read about macro photography with reverse mounted lenses and tried that technique. I became immediately fascinated by the shallow depth of field that draws all attention to the in-focus areas of the picture,” he said.

“At this magnification a simple drop of water becomes a whole world in itself to explore, a tiny universe that we fail to notice with our normal perspective.”

Included with this article are previews of the wallpapers packed into the Waterdrops, all 11 of them.

Of course, the actual theme is free to download and install on Windows 7 computers so users can enjoy the background images up close and personal.

In addition to flowers and a spray bottle of water to create the water drops, Peter’s tools of trade include a Canon 5D Mark II, a Canon 24-105mm lens (reverse mounted), studio strobe (420 Ws) with soft box and remote flash trigger.

Photographers with similar equipment can try their hand at creating similar photos. And just in case they would wonder, Peter does offer some advice:

“Don’t pay too much attention to the ‘rules of photography!’ It is good to know them, but you also have to know when not to follow them. There is no right or wrong. Sometimes an unusual crop or strange color is what makes a picture really interesting.”

Influenced by the likes of Salvador Dalí, Max Ernst, René Magritte, Mikhail Vrubel, and Alphonse Mucha, Peter works for Microsoft on Bing Maps, but he also does glamour and fashion photography. (click here to see examples from his portfolio)

The Windows 7 Waterdrops theme is available for download here.

Photo Gallery (11 Images)

Windows 7 Waterdrops Theme
Windows 7 Waterdrops ThemeWindows 7 Waterdrops Theme
+8more