[Pics] Fluid Sculptures (deconstruct these shots)

It's time to put our Fstopper monkeys to work yet again. That's right, I'm talking about you guys. A Milwaukee-based photographer (Jack Long) has spent a year perfecting his very own, 11 herbs and spices kinda recipe, for shooting liquids in suspension and claims the effect is not created by dropping liquid as seen in other splash photography. So, put your brains to work and tell us how you think he does it, in the comments below.

The Gear: Canon 1Ds MkII with a Canon 28-70 f2.8 lens at 50mm.

"I have been working for over a year with this unique, self discovered method of suspending liquids into the air and capturing them with short duration flash lighting. The shutter speed was set at 125, but because I was using high speed flash I just needed to trigger the lights while suppressing ambient light. I have used an infrared flash trigger at times but these are triggered more by eye and feel than with an electronic system."







 
via [TheTelegraph] [LaughingSquid]
 
From Kenn:
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Kenn Tam's picture

Been holding this damn camera in my hand since 1991.
Toronto / New York City

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62 Comments
Previous comments

Nope.  I have done shots with speakers, and they don't act like Jack's images.  Here are a few of my own speaker-paint shots that I did awhile back:

    http://www.mindstormphoto.com/20-studio/04-photos_dance_paint/

Please don't think that I am not humbled and appreciative of where my work has taken me and the discussions they have spurred. If I were to play 100 questions, it may well end the creative inquisitions that they have started.
I am not a physicist, but more of an artist, tinkerer, photographer. With a bit of magician sprinkled in for the illusion's sake.
I have not chosen to be a complete hermit, hence my facebook presence within the company of some of the best fluid shooters present. From the earliest posts of my most basic of forms, I have been asked "how" more than I can count. My attitude...Well...I discovered this, and other techniques through trial and extensive experimentation. I am not done trying to flesh it out creatively and to be honest, financially.
After 35+ years of work as a photographer and artist, I feel I've found my niche. Yes it's taken that long to find "IT." It may loose it's luster next week, but for now, it is what sets my work apart after being so very average for so long.
The latest works are a testiment to my hard work and explorations. From it I have gained world wide publishing through Rex Features and a second image published on the 1x.com.
If I can no longer engage the viewer with the images I create, I will move on to new endeavors.
I am fortunate to have had a long career in photography. While my "day job" holds little "glamour" and minimal platitudes, it is my personal work that keeps my creative adrenaline flowing. Without it, a creative life is left unfulfilled.
So to tell without telling all...Thank you for the recognition, communication and personal elevation. It's not rocket science, but I have worked to refine the technique and will beat this mule till it can no longer pull the plow.
With the greatest respect and appreciation. Jack

Though I would LOVE to see a behind-the-scenes shot of all this, I can understand why you are holding on to your secret.  As long as the images are out there, expect the rest of us to speculate on how they are taken though.  As I think you understand, it is our sincerest form of flattery. :)

And I have GOT to put my straw/syringe theory to the test.  Maybe this weekend...

Regardless of whether I am able to come up with interesting shots or not, your images definitely show a level of skill and attention to detail that will leave most others (including me) in the dust.  I would just like to get one more "wow!" image for our camera club  competition here locally...

OK granted I've never shot water from a syringe underwater and taken pictures of it, I'm not sure it is the way to go (although Jack never commented on those who suggested this method while he did deny some others, hmmm). I've dealt with syringes enough in the lab this past year and they seem to be only capable of shooting out jets of water. but maybe the fact that shooting it underwater would change the shape of the jet? None of the shots show any portion of the setup below the table, so who knows. It is also possible that the liquid above the cup is held with some container, which is then suddenly emptied/removed/whatnot. But this does not create the thin stream of liquid that seems to bridge the surface of the liquid in the cup to the body of liquid mid-air. Maybe syringes is the way to go... I definitely need to sneak a couple of them from the lab and check it out.

I mostly denied the speculation that it was a photo composite and that it was some solid form such as wax or sugar.

BTW Jack, a good magician never reveals the secret of his magic tricks either. 

I've just run a test and I can now reveal that I know
how this fella has produced these 'stills' ... however
out of respect for his career I will remain
silence ... peace !

I don't begrudge anyone the freedom to experiment and to discover on their own. I can't enforce some sort of trademark on technique. The physics become evident as you explore my images. I don't hide that, and even share the work that others have done in a gallery on my Flickr site. If you or anyone "discovers" my thinly veiled secret, cudos! The thing is when people come out and ask me how, I am hesitant mostly because I expect them to do some of their own work and experimentation. I don't do tutorials or how-to's The results may be similar, but none are ever the same, even for me. The affect on my career will be minimal if at all. So please share if you'd like. I created my first form a year and a half ago and have been working to advance it and other fluid creations. Everyone needs a hobby. Be well.  Jack

i DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL HE DID. but i LIKE IT! :-) ( Oh good and my caps lock button was stuck on)

I , also, have discerned the method....but will also continue to enjoy watching the comments ....guarding the secret!

An exploding balloon of some sort.

yeah look like he pulling something out that's attract to a string like a tea bag or something.