Making & Shooting Freezing Bubbles
When the thermometer dips below -20c (-5f) you can make your own frozen bubbles using little more than things that are readily available in your home. You'll need some standard dish soap (washing up liquid), glycerin or corn syrup, a drinking straw (or dismantled pen as I used) and a soda pop can. If temperatures reach -30c (-20f) you can simply blow the bubbles in the air and they will freeze before they hit the ground, but with a breeze they tend to be broken up by the speed of movement, and even without the breeze you have to move incredibly fast to catch the 'free range' bubbles.
I have found the best way to shoot them is to set up a static location, get the camera set on a tripod with a remote trigger in your hand and blow the bubbles exactly where you want them. You still need to move fast as they quickly freeze entirely and 'mist' over. The trick is to get the shots as they freeze.
I have found the best way to shoot them is to set up a static location, get the camera set on a tripod with a remote trigger in your hand and blow the bubbles exactly where you want them. You still need to move fast as they quickly freeze entirely and 'mist' over. The trick is to get the shots as they freeze.
I used the canon 5D IV with a canon 180mm F3.5L macro lens and a pocket wizard remote trigger. For the bubble mix I used 3 parts water to 1 part dish soap and then added a tablespoon of glycerin. Without the glycerin the bubbles were too weak but with it they were fantastic
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An easy way to control the shoot is to use an upturned pop can (or anything with a similar indentation). Put a little of your bubble mix into the indentation in the bottom of the can and blow a bubble using the straw. Blow quickly and remove the straw as it will freeze as you blow. The can shown here is protruding above the snow for demonstration purposes only. You should set your can low down in the snow so it cannot be seen, it helps to put the camera lower down to hide the rim of the can. |
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This shot shows how the can should be hidden below the snowline and the camera lowered. Again the little bit of can remaining in sight is for demonstration purposes. |
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It's best to focus manually so the camera isn't hunting for auto focus as you attempt to make the shot. With everything in place and focus set you should be able to blow a bubble and hit the trigger before the bubble freezes and the 'mist' kills the shot. |
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This shot shows an example of 'misting' where the bubble is almost frozen entirely and as a result there is far less definition in the ice crystals formed. The crystals blend together incredibly fast and mist over in no time at all, so unless you have a partner who will stand outside with you and blow the bubbles as you shoot, a remote trigger is required. |
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The speed of the freezing will often result in capturing your straw before you can withdraw it, but if you see it happening you might as well make a shot for a bit of something different. |
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It is also great to shoot when the breeze blows as you can catch some distortions and if you're lucky the moment of destruction (though these tend to be less dramatic as a result of the freezing. |
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Usually you will find it necessary to poke the bubble to get rid of it and start again. The whole thing gets very messy and everything freezes as you work. |
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Make sure you only put a small amount of your liquid in the base of the can as the straw freezes so you can't blow through it, the liquid freezes into mush so it won't make a bubble, ice forms on the can and pops every bubble you are trying to make etc. etc. So, cleaning the base of the can is needed after every few bubbles but the results can be beautiful. |
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It's fantastic to see the different ice crystals form, each time there's a new pattern. Some form large leaf like structures others make stars, some make thousands of tiny stars and some make dozens of large ones. It is a great way to spend an hour when the cold weather has you trapped at home.
