This image details a low-density oil traveling over a coarse, wetted surface. In the oil are small glitter particles of varying color. The glitter is of a very similar density to the oil, thus it maintains a hydrophobic property. This image was actually a biproduct of a failed experiment. After attempting and failing to capture bubbles of oil and glitter mixed in with water, I drained the vessel into my sink, allowing the oil to flow over the surface at varying velocities. With low light and high exposure time, the motion of the oil can be seen at the boundaries of the photo. In terms of post processing, a fair amount of color correction was done, including adjustments to the sharpness and denoising in order to make the glitter appear more clearly.
Get Wet – Maxwell Patwardhan
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Flow Vis Guidebook
- Introduction to the Guidebook
- Overview 1: Phenomena. Why Does It Look Like That?
- Overview 2: Visualization Techniques
- Overview 3: Lighting
- Overview 4 - Photography A: Composition and Studio Workflow
- Overview 4 - Photography B: Cameras
- Overview 4 - Photography C: Lenses - Focal Length
- Overview 4 - Photography C: Lenses - Aperture and DOF
- Overview 4: Photography D: Exposure
- Overview 4 - Photography E - Resolution
- Overview 5 - Post-Processing
- Clouds 1: Names
- Clouds 2: Why Are There Clouds? Lift Mechanism 1: Instability
- Clouds 3: Skew - T and Instability
- Clouds 4: Clouds in Unstable Atmosphere
- Clouds 5: Lift Mechanism 2 - Orographics
- Clouds 6: Lift Mechanism 3 - Weather Systems
- Boundary Techniques - Introduction
- Dye Techniques 1 - Do Not Disturb
- Dye Techniques 2 - High Visibility
- Dye Techniques 3 - Light Emitting Fluids
- Refractive Index Techniques 1: Liquid Surfaces
- Refractive Index Techniques 2: Shadowgraphy and Schlieren
- Particle Physics: Flow and Light
- Particles 2: Aerosols
- Particles 3: In Water - Under Construction
- Art and Science
- TOC and Zotpress test
- Photons, Wavelength and Color
7 Comments. Leave new
I like the movement created by the diagonal flow of the oil and water across the image
I love the color variety in this image! I think the contrast between the glitter and the oil is really well balanced. The specks of color in the dark background makes it look almost like a space phenomena.
I love the perspective you chose to take this photo at. The angle gives the fluid flow a personality of its own, and really creates a relationship between the two fluids and the glitter.
Playing with the saturation and vibrancy in post-production may further draw out the refraction of light on the glitter.
I love he color and contrast that the glitter brings to the dark background and clear fluids. The transition from clear, crisp view of the oil and water in the bottom to the blurry background makes it appear as if the fluid is flowing into the frame.
How did you choose the size of the image and if to include the dry areas of the sink that are not filled with fluid flow?
I love the stark contrast between the light reflecting off of the glitter and the dark black backgorund.
I really like the glitter lying on top of the oil or on the boundary between the oil and air or water. This is especially exemplified in the bottom left corner and it shows surface tension and density differences between all the fluids.
The contrast and the way the colors pop is very cool. It is also very sharp and the bottom left lighting leads to a cool diagonal fade in light. I think the non-reflective black background under the fluid and glitter serves this image well. It sounds like a happy accident. Way to make the most of the situation!