I did this one last night and think it is one of my best inks. What do you think?
EDIT:
Here is a progression of these images. The first is the first ink drop. Water is clear, ink is sharp. I try and drop this one toward the back of the tank. Second image is second drop. The background is the dissipated first drop with a new drop in front of it. This second drop is usually pretty clear because the background hasn't really dissipated yet. The third is the third drop into the same water. The previous two have left a little definition but not much. Some previous ink gets in front of the new drop and less light gets through. I rarely get anything out of the third drop and never from a forth drop.
:)
Another winner Ruth. This one offers so more complexity and intrigue. With the lack of a descriptive title, I think it forces the viewer to explore and try to make sense of what they are seeing.
Love it!
Magical!
It's good, Ruth. Reminds me of a flamenco dancer (had you worried there for a split second, didn't I?*). However, personally I prefer the ones that look more softly lit, seeing one colour through another, or with the ink in diaphanous veils. It might be because I enjoy looking for subtle detail, textures, shades of light & colour that aren't obvious at first in images. This encourages lingering with an image, and savouring it. However, you need some bolder ones like this to balance the others in your exhibition!
*Actually, some distinctly phallic forms at the bottom, straining up to her! Is that NSFW?
Hey Chris - I put this progression in for you. Thought you might be interested based on the feedback. :)
PS - I was going for mushrooms under a tree dirty minded man!
Well, you'd know about the amanita phalloides toadstool better than I, Ruth! ;-)
Thanks for posting the series, and the explanation, Ruth. Very interesting. One thing I wonder about: is the camera on a tripod? Your hands must be busy with the ink, but then I don't know how you get such good compositions. Can you compose on the fly? Or is it chance plus cropping? The third drop image works well here, simple as it is.
Thanks for the series and the explanation, Ruth. The third drop yielded an excellent image in this case, in all its simplicity.
One question: how do you get such good compositions? Is the camera on a tripod? I'd guess your hands are busy with the ink. Do you crop a lot? Or can you compose as the ink sinks, on the fly?
I only use a tripod ever. I have a terrible tremble and couldn't hold the camera steady if I tried. I also almost always use a digital shutter release.
The key here is putting a layer of oil on the water. The ink sits on the oil so you can put it where you want it. When everything is totally ready, I poke the ink with a toothpick which pushes it through the oil exactly where I want it. With my other hand I start the shutter release.
Ah, now I see! So you've worked out how to manage some of the randomness. You have to compose, like a view camera user, upside down. Well, your results are wonderful, Ruth. Really, really like them. Abstraction at its finest.
Have you considered making a Cinemagraph, using this technique, Ruth? I’ve never attempted one, so not sure about the challenges. The idea sounds cool though.
I hadn't ...until now! I will definitely give this some thought Robert. It is such a gift to have ideas for future work given. I am so grateful for you idea!