Harold Edgerton experiment

We, as a group experimented using a plum and dropping it into a tank of water. We set up the triggers and infra red beams to set off when the plum dropped in front of them. We had to use small groups , a person taking the photo and telling the other to person to drop the plum into the water. We also used someone to reset the trigger for the next picture. We swapped around within the class group so that we all got the chance of doing the different roles. Someone was also needed to refill the water tank ready for the next photo. The room had to be in complete darkness as we were using the flash so we also had someone controlling the light, by turning them on and off so that we could set up for the next photo. My part in this was first to take some photos and tell Yasper when to drop the plum, We then swapped and I set up the infra red beam to trigger the flash to capture the photo.
Below is some pictures of how we set up the studio to take the Harold Edgerton style images. The set up took a long time to get right. I really enjoyed using this technique to create these style of images because I like the final outcomes that the pictures looked like and I like the effect they have in capturing/ freezing the time. Although, this technique was more time consuming to set up and get right then some of the other techniques. This style of photos were inspired by the work of Harold Edgerton, where he uses high speed photography to capture things that the eye wouldn't normally see due to its speed.

 Here are the images which we, as a group captured. These two were my favourite as it created a crown a the plum hit the water. I also like how there are single droplets visible. I prefer the second photo as the plum lands exactly centred in the tank of water. I also feel the bottom photos water splash is more focussed. Compared, to the top one. I think it is quite effective because it would usually happen so fast that the human eye wouldn't be able to focus on it and see this motion. It looks like a slow motion video that has been paused during the middle to get this image.

From this I learnt how much time and how many photos are involved with capturing the perfect photo and setting up the studio with the infra - red trigger to go off at the exact right moment in order to get a successful photo. I also learnt how much team work is involved and communication is very important to take the photos. If a person is not ready or concentrating it can ruin the whole process.