Refraction of Light in Photography

Looks like a tiger’s face

Yin-yang?

I saw a Facebook post on group site I participate in about refraction of light.  The images were very interesting. I decided to put together a few items for our camera club to use at a future meeting.

If you google refraction of light you come back with a lot of scientific information. However when you google refraction of light in photography a lot of nice images appear!

With help from a friend of mine, I put together several backgrounds; some had color some were black and white. I purchased scrapbooking paper and used double stick tape and old scrap mats to mount the paper to so they would not bend.

Try different patterns

Try different glasses

Using a pole lamp with 3 lights to light my subject, I put up my backgrounds and filling glasses with water. I also laid some of the backgrounds flat and used them as a base; the patterns then reflected on top of the water.

My camera settings (Nikon D800E) ISO 640, f/14 – 16, shutter speed ranged from 1/5, 1/3, 1/13 sec depending on which background was being used.

Try different angels and adding color

Just a splash of color catches your attention

This is a fun winter project as you do not need a lot of supplies, just clear glasses, vases, bowls, water (distilled is recommended because tap water bubbles), and paper or fabric with a design. You can make your own designs using Photoshop and printing the off of you printer.

Using different camera angles changes the perspective

Try patterns under the glass and look at what happens as you move around

Have fun experimenting!

January 21, 2016 | Categories: Close-up Photography, Just For Fun!, Macro Photography, Photography | Tags: glasses, light refraction, Nikon, Nikon D800E, Pam DeCamp, Pam DeCamp Photography, refraction of light, refraction of light photography, water | Leave a comment