Apr 18 2010 1:16 am
Watch this video tutorial to learn how to photograph water in motion using simple clamp lamps.
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We were working on a shot for a major cosmetics company. I was assisting. The photographer said to put up the diffusion tissue vertically. After setting it up we placed a tray in front of the tissue with black velvet paper on the bottom of it, and then filled it with water. It was only 1/2 inch deep. The photographer told me to place one light behind the tissue to reflect the light onto the water. We put the cosmetic jar in the water and the light was wonderful the way it gradated across the surface of the water and created a beautiful reflection. After getting the exposure correct I thought we were done, but no. Now he had me hold the jar a few inches above the water. He got behind the camera and at the count of three I dropped the jar as he pressed the shutter, it created a nice splash, and I was amazed. Well, it was before digital photography so we shot many exposures. The next day we got the film back and the shots were stunning. The motion of the water made it a really cool image. In our tutorial on freezing motion you will see how this technique is done. So experiment with things in motion using different shutter speeds and you will create some great images.
For more info on equipment used see: Photo and Grip Equipment for Clamp Lamp Studio