Pixiq

Have you seen those amazing images made from a liquid splash when its formed quite recognizable objects, such as animals? I was exploring the technique for a while, and in this article I'll show you how we work with the splashes. 

Update:
I run my first masterclass (Was in Atlanta, 11th june), check put the outcome:
It was a blast: Splash photography masterclass in Atlanta

Lets look at this example below:

Curiously, the lighting is not the most important part in such photography, but the technique of producing the splash is what makes the shot. Good shaped splash can be used to create an interesting images during the post-production. The image above (hi-res version of it) consumed 6 hours of our retoucher work, and this was just an example of what can be done (Full article about post-production of this butterfly is on our retoucher's blog: How we did a water butterfly. We have combined few drops, but the butterfly "wings" was from a single splash.

Here is how such splash looked like from outside the camera:

2 Light sources (PCB Einsteins in action mode): one behind the splash through stripbox, pointed up to a white screen, second on the left through the softbox. Transparent liquid (water in our case) looks very sexy with the gradient lighting behind it, and stribox did work very well. Softbox on the left was mostly to create sparks on our splash.

Flash duration was about1/6000 seconds, Einstein was set to an action mode. BTW, when I was trying to use Einstein in a color mode I've discovered some very unpleasant behavior. Can't tell you more at this point, need to double check everything and talk to Paul to see what was going on. I promise to post an update, stay tuned.

UPDATE (04/05/2011):
I've got E640 tested, here is the result: Paul C. Buff Einstein 640 in-depth flash duration test: action v.s constant color mode

Few more splashes, as-is from a camera, only camera raw alterations with color/brightness were made. Note the splash shapes! It was such fun to learn how to throw water to produce such cool splashes. At the end of that hour of shooting I could make splash look the way I want.. or at least very close to it:-)

Update:

We are launching our first Liquid Splash photography masterclass by Alex Koloskov in Atlanta! Join us June 11th for 5 hour masterclass:

I'll show you what no one else does!

l show you how to create an AD shot of the real product “wrapped” by liquid (it may not be water) splash. In other words, I’ll show you how we utilize a splash to get a remarkable WOW shot of the product. The shot you’ll expect to see on a magazine cover. Again, it is not about creating a splash alone. We'll get a complete walk-through of the creation after an AD of the product , from A to Z.

Registration page:
http://akelstudio.eventbrite.com/

UPDATE: The Masterclass is now available foir the purchase, clikc on the e-book to learn more:

The video behind the scene, it will answer the most of the question you might have. I have few more tutorials about liquid splash photography on the blog, here they are:

• Water in product and advertisement photography: episode two

• Water in still life and advertisement photography: Episode one

• First AKELstudio LIVE! masterclass: water, apple, flash duration test and one shot of scotch whiskey

The video (youtue version is here):