Taking photographs of bubbles may sound like an obscure thing to do, but you can create an interesting set of shots built around the theme of all things bubbly! There are different kinds of ideas and things you can look at, all inexpensive and once you have had some practice – relatively low on preparation. Let’s look at some ideas for bubble shots.
1. Photographing actual bubbles
Bubbles can appear at various times – it can be the bubbles that appear in water when you drop something in it, it can be the bubbles created by soap suds, the bubbles in the foam on your coffee or the bubbles that are created when water freezes into ice. There are many ways to create bubbles – can you think of any others?
2. Being Patient
The thing about bubbles is that you can’t control how long they will last, what size they will be and how they will look in your photographs – it really depends on the bubble that is produced. To this effect it’s quite a unique and special image you are creating – no two bubbles are the same.
Bear in mind that you are best off practicing making the bubbles first. If you are photographing the bubbles that appear when you drop something into fizzy water, look at what objects create the most fizz. Look at what sodas work the best – or if plan water is best and at what temperature.
If you are creating soapy bubbles try different types of detergents like shampoo and dish washing liquid – what creates the best bubbles for your images. You can even add glycerin to your soap mixture because it makes bubbles last that little bit longer.
If you are asking someone to blow bubbles, let them practice first. Blowing slowly means you get bigger bubbles and you can even get a trail – blowing quickly usually gives you lost of little bubbles.
The point is that you should practice before you do your big set up, especially if you have limited light so that you aren’t struggling to get bubbles when you are ready to shoot.
3. Use Macro
Macro lenses are the best kind for photographing bubbles since they tend to be on the small side, and this is a great way to close in on the detail. If you are photographing someone with the bubbles use a standard lens instead – a 50mm will do the trick nicely.
4. Framing
Make sure you frame the shot beforehand, whether you are using a model in the shot or just photographing bubbles – the reason for this is because the longer you spend moving around the more likely it is that the bubbles will disappear – you don’t want this to happen so plan your shoot out first!
If you are using a tripod, have everything, including the remote – set up and ready to go – this will avoid blur in close up images.
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