Soap Bubble Trials...A Tutorial

http://www.flickr.com/photos/moseleyfoto/6820588589/in/photostream

I have seen soap bubble and soap films on the internet. I always thought they were really cool! All of them were different. So; since insect macro is slow right now; I decided to try my hand at soap bubbles.

The first day at this was a complete disaster. I made a mess; only got black frames; and felt really silly! What did I do wrong! Well...a lot. Then it was day two!

First, there are many soap bubble recipes on the internet. Find one that works for you but the real trick is to use Glycerine! It is a little expensive but a little goes a long way. Some people use sugar instead. Basically the glycerine makes the bubble more "sticky" and it will last longer. I used one cup water, 6 tablespoons soap (Dawn dishliquid), and one tablespoon glycerin. I found the bubble to be heavy!

Second, this is a soap film! Not a bubble. I used a wire coat hanger bent into a rectangle shape with the excess serving as a stand. It was about a 3 x 5 rectangle. There are better ways to set this up but it was just my first attempt. I dipped my "frame" into a square bowl filled with the soap stuff. I used a macro lens. I shot these hand held but a tripod would have been easier!

Third, this is the most important part, getting the angles for your light. Physics tells us when light hits a reflective surface the light will bounce at the same angle. Angle of incidence. So...the light needs to hit the soap film at roughly a 45 degree angle and the camera needs to catch that light at the opposite 45 degree angle. Now we all know photography records reflected light. Right? Well in macro photography this becomes a challenge for pleasing backgrounds but here, the film IS the background. There is also a black card behind the film at another 45 degree angle to prevent any light going through the film and bouncing back to camera. If bouncing back were to happen we would wash out our color. Got it? Try it out.

I am sure there are better ways to do this but it worked. I will experiment more to see what happens. 

Have fun, every snap is different!!!!! 





 

 I am no expert! This just worked for me and it was nice to figure it out. So....you may need to experiment too!

Cleanliness is next to.....

Cleanliness is next to....., a photo by moseleyfoto on Flickr.

On a recent trip to the zoo I got a few pictures, this one being very funny. This was actually shot through a fence. Can you see it?
The fence disappeared with focal distance and angle. Pretty cool.

Although I was happy to see these critters, I walked through the zoo pretty bummed. I couldn't help but feel bad for these animals. They were so lethargic and looked like zombies. Animals really do belong in the wild; not behind bars or in a box. Some of them just walk back and forth wearing down a single path. Like a phsyciatric patient with too much medicine.
I will give credit to the zoo for its cleanliness and effort.The place is cool but so is the real jungles and deserts.


I guess I'd probably not see these guys anywhere but the zoo. I just hope that they might be rescues.

Title Change Up

I was surfing the web and came across this site http://mylefteye.wordpress.com/page/3/.
Since that site has been up longer I felt it only right to let them have the blog title. Besides, now I get to use my own name! Cool! Google search!!!

I hope this does not create any confusion.

Thanks for looking!

Mike

Hungry bee

Macro Bee

Hungry bee, a photo by moseleyfoto on Flickr.

As I look for improvement I am forced to refer back to some of the basics. Sometimes I really feel; well let's say; less than smart!
I have been struggling with my lighting not only with my macro but all my shots. Fstop, shutter speed, and ISO. Are they in proper ratio? There are lots of sites out there that explain this way better than I can so look up the Sunny Sixteen Rule. http://dalantech.deviantart.com/art/Sunny-16-Rule-for-Macro-86274519?q=gallery%3Adalantech%2F4122501&qo=12 This is the one that sank in for me.
I also simplified my flash diffuser. Got a better angle on it and got closer to the subject.
Get out there and experiment but you really have to remember your basics.

Macro of bee

So what I have learned is this:
My macro lens has a higher effective Fstop. Meaning if my camera is set to F8 I am really at f16 which is two stops higher. So to apply the Sunny Sixteen; well; you need to factor that with the EFFECTIVE Fstop. Adjust the shutter speed for ambient exposure. These shots where at ISO 400 to fit the rule. The 62mm of extension tubes create some light loss as well. So my shutter was reduced to 1/100 for some ambient pick up.

Mammatus Clouds

I have to post this shot. It is a perfect example of why sometimes you have to move very quickly before the light disappears. It helps to set your camera to more readily usable settings after use.
Suddenly (after a rain) the light coming in our windows became crazy orange. I got curious and looked out. I could not move fast enough to retrieve my camera. OH-GOODY! It's all set up for macro! I took it all apart, changed lenses, ran out and started shooting.
People.....I looked foolish already in my frantic bursts. Now I feel foolish because I shot about 15 frames before I realized I was still set for macro. I got 6 more frames before this light was dead. Check your Exposure. You are looking right at it in the viewfinder.
This is exactly as it looked. I've seen these Mammatus clouds before but not near as colorful.



Get out there and shoot. Digital deletes for free!

Mike

Solid Luck, Solid Proof

Macro Bee

I had read on a blog about photographing sleeping bees. I was quite skeptical about this idea seeing as I have been chasing bees about trying to catch them still for a flash of a second. I have been given solid proof and it was solid luck.
My favorite fishing companion and I returned home from a day of fishing; where we did quite well I must say; too find a single bee attached to our window treatment. It was right next to the door so we must have let it in on the way out.

Of course I had to take full advantage of this opportunity. It never moved except for when I nudged it for a better angle.I tried to use principles learned from Dalantech at No Cropping Zone  . I hope this one shows positive progression of my abilities.

Macro Bee

                                               Alt. View of same bee

Progression and Ego

Eagle Falls

 This blog was intended to show my progression through out my photographic endeavors. It just so happens I fell for Macro and that is the majority of what I shoot. I want to improve. How does one improve? For starters try to accept the fact that there are MANY better shooters than you and it is NOT because they have better equipment! If you are told the photo doesn't work or looks weak don't let your ego loose. Find out why. Even those guys with "better equipment" get photos turned away too. You cannot please every persons tastes! Thing is.....can you please yours? Is your shot meeting your own       standards? Look at them. Learn!
                                                                              Last week was vacation time. Lots of hiking so went light with one lens. Could not leave with out some waterfall shots! This photo is an example of this posting. I was in awe at the fall's beauty. Tried several angles and f-stops but after seeing what I had my ego took over. Thought I had the perfect shot! Two days later I have all these ideas of what I should have could have. What should I have done different? Neutral density filter, polarizer, morning light, or hyperfocal distances, what else? I think for some people (like myself) it is important that we not become over critical of ourselves too. A shot is better than no shot of course.

Macro Luna Moth

Here is my one and only macro of the trip. This was shot at night! On the way to check-in I saw this Lunar Moth on a light pole. We checked in, got to the room and I ran for it. The bugger would NOT change position but let me get a few frames. I tried to make it move. The shoot was over.




                                                                           Staying true to my favorite stuff here is a shot from a couple of weeks ago. I was allowed three frames before this couple decided to get a room! Foreground is so distracting! So what now? How about we shoot again tomorrow. Digital deletes for for free!

Until next time........

This Is Something Else!

   I am ecstatic! This photo was chosen for a daily spot at EARTHSHOTS.org! This is my first entry at any online contest. I want to thank those who made comments there and thank the judges for choosing this. I didn't think they had chosen it as I entered about two weeks before.
http://www.earthshots.org/2011/05/its-here-somewhere-by-michael-d-moseley/ 

The folks who enter photographs on this site have outstanding shots. Check out the site!

                                                                                     Thanks To All Of You