This is an ink plume in water, flipped to look like it is growing. It was taken in studio with hot lights.
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Pretty cool! I tried shooting dyed droplets at work once but could never get the vessel clean enough it seems lol
Thanks!!
I have played with A LOT of options and struggled as well. I found the depth is what matters so that you can clearly focus with a little DOF without catching the glass/plastic container. I am now using a small fish tank (3 gallon). It made all the difference. Also, you never know where the ink is going to go so the more space, the more likely your plume will not run into the side!
Nice! Is this backlit? I did not have that option given the space so used 2- 45 degree flashes to kill the glare. I like this almost silhouette look.
There are lights on the right and left side of the tank at different levels which creates (I hope) a little surreal effect as the ink moves in and out of the light. There is a white paper wrapped around the entire set up. Before starting I drop one or two drops of heavy cream in the back and let it go for a bit to get the 'backdrop". Then two drops of pink and off we go! The most important thing though is to put a thin layer of oil (I use baby oil) on the surface of the water. The ink drops sink through it and sit on the interface between the water and oil. This gives you time to reset you focus or make adjustments as needed and then I poke the ink drop with a toothpick so it breaks through and sinks. This makes all the difference for me because I can control the timing of the drop. The downside is that I have really wash the tank between every shoot, refill and re-oil. It is a pain but worth it.
Very cool. Seems like you found your rhythm with it. Love the cream drop effect too, was wondering what that was :)
i seem to remember a tutorial a few years back doing this and the guy used to add glycerine to the water. might be worth playing with, i do prefer it upside down.