This is a failed attempt - need help request. Craig's billowing blue ink/water shot is something I have been trying to do. I am very interested in the fluidity of this subject. I did too minimal research before setting up a shoot in my kitchen. I used suminagashi ink which is highly pigmented since I had it already. I didn't research enough to know that I need some thickening agent and therefore, based on what was happening, went off on this tangent. Suminagashi ink floats and then drops in strands so not exactly the same thing. But the issues that I would like suggestions for remain apparent. I couldn't get a clear shot, perhaps because the ink was moving AND dissolving? You can see that I have motions blur throughout. My shutter speed should have been fast enough but .... I'd love suggestions.
Hey Ruth, I really like the shots they look great. For my images I used Tesco's double cream and some cheap printers ink from eBay. Maybe you could try some cream to help thicken the liquid this could help with the floating issue, personally I like that effect. The fat in the cream also creates a barrier so you might get some nice separation between both liquids. I look forward in seeing some more examples and descriptions on how they were created.
I never thought of tinting cream. Thanks! I'm sure you'll see something after the weekend.
:)
I like these. :)
Are you using a flash or strobe of some kind? Or just "hot lights?" When you're shooting something this close and small, even a tiny movement can blur the image. But the duration of a flash is well under 1/1000 second, so it will freeze anything you're shooting and also usually allow you to use a narrow aperture for a wider depth of field. Just watch out for sensor dust! :)
This is something I've wanted to try, too. Maybe I'll learn from the tips you're given here.
I'm embarrassed to say that I was using a flashlight. I am really low tech. I rarely ever use a flash and I didn't think about it. I will try that.
If you do try this, food coloring will give a pretty good drop pattern and looks ephemeral compared to the tinted cream in Craig's shot. I do put the water in the refrigerator or ice it first to keep it as slow/dense as possible. This next round I am going to add a little glycerin to the water and/or the dye to thicken it. Who knows - may work or not! Suminagashi ink is relatively inexpensive and can be found in craft stores or online. It is designed to float for paper dips but it does the most interesting sinking patterns if you wait for it to saturate. Good Luck Phillip! I hope to see something from you.
Thanks for the tips!
These are cool! I wouldn't know where to begin to take something like this, so just going off what looks good to me. I really really like the third one, except I think I wish that the one pink sploge in the bottom was either way softer like the others near it or else way clearer (harder?). The others I think are too much black.
Thank you and I have received the "too much black" from home too. Even as a kid I loved the color black - scary. What do you think about this?
I like it!