To freeze motion, typically you need a fast shutter speed. But for this photoshoot, I was using a shutter speed of 1 second. I used an external flash in a dark room to illuminate the subject during this one second exposure. Producing results like this:

Ice cube droppen into a glass of water.

The different coloured light was produces by putting coloured transparent gift wrap stuff over the flash.  (cellophane)

Gear: Optex pistol grip tripod_Canon 500D (With battery grip)_18-55mm f3.5-5.6 lens_430EX II external flash.

Specs: 1 second exposure_Aperture 5.6_ISO 100_Manual focus.

Setup: My camera was mounted on a tripod for the 1 second exposure. I used a wireless flash trigger connected to a canon 430EX II flash. (Located to the left of the camera)

All you need to do is drop an ice cube into a cup of water to archive this effect. There are many other things you can freeze in action using the same technique. eg: Breaking glass, spilling a bottle of water etc.

Ice cube in water-different light

Alternate method: As not everybody owns a DSLR. If you own a compact camera that has manual mode, you may also be able to archive this technique by setting you shutter speed to as fast as possible in a well lit room with a small aperture number. eg: SS-2000 AV:3.2 ISO:100

All comments are welcome!

Any questions: jbphotography21@hotmail.com

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jbphotography/215551045132181

Home page: http://jbphotography2011.wordpress.com

First you will need your materials:
1. A common household ‘Whisk’ or egg beater. (Not electric of course) Easily purchased from woolworths or coles for a few dollars.

2. Secondly, is ‘Steel Wool’ Easy to purchase from the same aforementioned stores. (Box of 10 pads for $1.30 (Home Brand)) This brand is infused with soap for cleaning, but still works fine…

3. Third is a short length of string or wire to attach to the end of the ‘whisk’ so you are able to comfortably spin the whisk briskly in the air without hitting the ground or causing the whisk to fly loose undesirably.

4. Then as a matter or preference, a sparkler for igniting the steel wool…

* OH and you need a lighter!

Method: First you want to set up your camera on a tripod preferably so you dont get shake, you shutter speed should be between 10-60 seconds, but most commonly 30 seconds… Don’t forget to use Manual focus and turn off IS if you have it.

Recap= ISO=100___Shutter speed=30sec___Aperture=3.5-5 or (set as desired)___ Manual Focus! ___No IS!

1. You are going too need to place the steel wool pad inside the whisk (that is attached to the string) See image below-

then try to ‘PUFF’ the steel wool out a little bit so more air can penetrate it for maximum burn!
2. The idea is to spin the Steel wool in the whisk really fast and sparks will fly free creating something that resembles a Roman candle firework…

Areas to try this include: The Beach-This is my preferred location due to very low fire risk and nice wide open spaces. Basketball court-low fire risk and is usually not located under or near trees. NOTE: Do not attempt this unless you are certain this activity will not cause fire or break any state/federal law both during or after this activity.

There are various ways to spin but its your creativity that will make your photo stand out from the rest..

KEEP IN MIND THAT SPARKS FROM THIS ACTIVITY CAN IGNITE DEAD LEAVES/GRASS etc. In my experience, sparks can travel up to 30ft from the source, depending on spin speed.

RESULTS:

———-SAFETY———-

YOU MUST WEAR FULL COVERED CLOTHING! This is important because the sparks can/will land on you if you incorrectly spin the whisk! Clothing includes hoodie/jumper to avoid inflammation of hair! long sleeves/long pants/jeans/gloves/googles/glasses!

CAUTION-CAUTION-CAUTION

You must exercise extreme caution with this activity!!!

* This activity may be condemned by law and I take no responsibility for your actions after you read this tutorial.

* You have sole responsibility to take extreme caution when/if conducting this technique or anything similar from the knowledge you acquired from this site.

*Do NOT attempt whislt:

1. Under the influence of drugs/alcohol.

2. Near flammable substances/gasses etc.

3. In a well populated area etc.

4. etc.

———-SAFETY———-

If you do try this technique, post you creative photos online and link me to them.

If you have any questions, comment here. Or email me jbphotography21@hotmail.com

Equipment: Tripod or steady place for your camera, Torch or light, and a Piece of STRING or white Apple iPod headphones (which i personally use)

Method: In a dark area, you want to create a blank (Preferably black) studio. I used a jumper rested on a table propped up at the back with a pillow. You may want to use a subject to make to smoke to come from (Somebodies hand, and apple etc.) This subject must not be moving for this work.

Then you want to set the Camera to TV mode, (If your using a canon) or if you are using a different brand set your camera to be able to manipulate the shutter speed. Place the object in your mini studio and set the camera up and frame up/focus your photo. I recommend shutter speeds between 5-10 seconds.

Now to archive the effect, you hold the string/headphones and a torch/light source above the object with one hand. The string should dangle straight down towards the object and you simply need to jiggle the string around lightly during the 5-10 seconds, with the light source being ON during this time.

Experiment with different danglers (String of different colours or thickness. Or perhaps something metal or wood.
Also try different shutter speeds to vary the amount of light and smoke…

Results:

Best of luck trying this, If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. You can contact me via email: jbphotography21@hotmail.com
Or just drop by my facebook like page to view some photos and ‘like’ the page.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jbphotography/215551045132181

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jbphotography/215551045132181

jbphotography21@hotmail.com

Firstly find a subject. This can be as simple as a running tap in the sink or a creek, stream or waterfall. Frame up your photo to include the ‘splash zone’ or ‘white wash’. If your using a tripod I recommend a 2 second timer or use a cable release or even a remote shutter.

For optimal results, its best not to let your shutter speed exceed 1-5 seconds (In most cases) but the lower the lighting, the longer you can go! For starters, try 1/4 second or 0.5 seconds.

You will be able to produce some amazing shots with this little creative technique.

My examples:

1. First step is to acquire a tripod because long shutter speeds will be hard to hand hold without camera shake.
2. Set the camera up with either lens and set the camera to ‘TV’ mode.
3. You may like to choose a location beside a road (To capture the moment of headlights and tail lights) and set the shutter speed between 10 and 30 seconds for example, but with a cable release you can extend this time extensively.
4. To avoid camera shake upon pressing the the shutter button, you should put a 2 second timer on.
5. Experiment with different locations and shutter speeds, you may also want to try different apertures.

Equipment: Tripod, cable release.

 

65 Minutes

Equipment=  A CD (preferably blank), Camera with long shutter speed capability, Tripod, something to apply water droplets to the back of the disk, a Torch or portable light source, Also a cable release if possible is handy to prevent camera shake.

Method: Set the camera up facing down on the overturned disk that you carefully dripped water on, then whilst lighting is good, set your focus then switch to manual focus to avoid AF. Turn off all lights and make sure you are in a dark area (long exposure can easily lead to over exposure).

Set the camera to ‘Manual’ mode and stop the aperture down to the largest number (Eg: f22-29) and set your shutter speed to “BULB”. Trigger your shutter then move your torch/lights source around and above the water covered disk. (Standard exposure time can be around 10-30 seconds or as desired)

Results:

Any Questions? Please ask…