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Canon DSLR Challenge | all galleries >> Challenge 42: Patterns in Nature (hosted by CameraShy09) >> Eligible > 16th Place - Interference 938 (*)
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29-MAY-2005 Kelly Bellis

16th Place - Interference 938 (*)

The focus of my bubble experiments shifted from trying to capture the patterns of three
dimensional volumes created through touching soap bubbles to capturing their
interference patterns, the colorful iridescent swirling patterns. They’re awesome to watch,
although rather short lived, and are quite fun to play with – the kid in you will love it!.

Here’s a good source for various bubble solution recipes if interested:
http://www.bubbleblowers.com/homemade.html

Lighting played a critical role in capturing these interference patterns and after some
experimentation I found that spreading the light works best rather than a single source.
Below is the setup used for these last two shots, Interference 825 and 938.


other sizes: small medium original auto
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Guest 01-Jun-2005 00:13
Excelent. Well done.
Canon DSLR Challenge31-May-2005 10:52
Good comments Techo. Thank you. I will try and implement them after work tonight... if there's time. Interesting point about that black curving line, which is present in all these experiments - I think that it is actually the very back edge of the bubble, but because of the surface's rapidly arcing away from the eye, no interference patterns can be seen. And yes, the noise bugs. After the challenge is over, I plan to do more experiments with ISO1600 and the built in noise reduction of the 20D coupled with 2,000 watts of halogen lighting diffused through an arcing white plexiglass cover. - Kelly
Canon DSLR Challenge31-May-2005 03:20
Very imaginative, both on selecting the subject and the setup! I really like the cool colors and what a feat using the 400mm end. This lens is already on my wish list :)
For the (*), I would only suggest a little clean up of the black background, to make it totally black (if that was the intention). Just a little noise redection and selective levels on it to remove some of the visible smudge and black curving line that follows the top of the bubble's curve.

-Techo :)
Canon DSLR Challenge30-May-2005 21:02
Hi Traveller, Thank you very much for your kind and supportive words, I very much appreciate them and equally any critical remarks too. This challenge has been a tremendous blast and if it hadn't been for all of the kind support found in this group of photographers I would have quit at a plate of suds. I just hope to be able to return the favor. Peace. - Kelly
Canon DSLR Challenge30-May-2005 19:50
Dearest Kelly: We must agree to disagree...this is wonderful as was the last version. I hope that you didn't misundersand Jeannie or myself...I think that we both sincerely felt that the image was...exciting, interesting, different in the sense of taking us to a different level...and there was a little light reflection.

I look at your work set-up and realize the emotional investment that you have in this project. What I really meant to say was...that you were on the verge of greatness...these bubble photos of yours were almost ready to be put in a big, glossy coffee table book. Being there, or almost there, can engender a slow fuse kind of depression...what you are attempting to do is difficult....you are trying to create your own unique vision in a substance you've never used before...be gentle with yourself really.

Further, after doing something really great there is often a post-partum kind of let-down...but don't let yourself down...you are so close to really doning something few of us ever even get close to...a unique vision all your own. I'd keep working in this medium.

Give yourself a pat on the back, Really. Best Wishes, Traveller
alexeig30-May-2005 15:41
Beautiful shot. Looks like a painting with all these nice colors
Canon DSLR Challenge30-May-2005 14:47
Traveller and Jeannie - After trying to knock down the reflection of the two lights, I guess it's better than it was, but I'm not very happy with the clone job.

Teapot - the bubble solution recipe I used - 1 cup Dawn Ultra, 14 cups of water and 1/4 cup of glycerine - and allowed to set open over night, allow the bubbles to exist between one and two minutes with the most colorful time early within that time period. Even towards the end of a bubble's life when nearly devoid of any chroma, the patterns are quite remarkable. - Kelly
Canon DSLR Challenge30-May-2005 12:16
Wow Kelly. I thought it was a macro of a marble or a patterned bowling ball before I opened the image. How did you get such big bubbles to stay long enough to shoot.
Superb effort.
Teapot.
Kelly Bellis30-May-2005 11:41
Do'h!! Jeannie - you're absolutely right - I've nixed the last dish just before reading your note.
Thank you and Traveller too for the comments on the reflection here and on 825. I'll try cloning 938, but 825 wouldn't be practical to consider editing the reflections. Thanks too to the Fly and Michael for your kind words. - Kelly
Canon DSLR Challenge30-May-2005 05:20
Kelly, what a wonderful piece of art! I love the swirling details. I agree with Traveller about the light reflection, but I am completely amazed at how you were even able to capture this picture. It is AWESOME!

Note: I *think* that this makes the 4th image you've got in the eligible gallery. IMHO, this is your best one so be sure to move or remove one of the others.

Great work again, Kelly! -- Jeannie Burleson (jburly)
ctfchallenge30-May-2005 03:24
This is great Kelly. It looks like a planet. theFly
Guest 30-May-2005 00:13
A gorgeous image, Kelly, both in it's colors and patterns. Thanks for sharing your technique. -Michael
Canon DSLR Challenge29-May-2005 23:40
I've Gotta give you props for this Kelly, you've come a very long way from soap-suds in a dish to this piece of actual art. I wish that I had your stick-too-it-ness.

The refections, multiple, of the bare light bulb and fixture bothered me a little in 825, and the only thing that prevents this image from being perfect is the very slight light refelction over to the left of the picture.

Nonetheless, this image has one of my votes because it really is marvelous. Thanks for making me see better. Best Wishes, Traveller