A Photo Project Guide to Shooting With Liquid

There are plenty of photographers who have tried to push the envelope in ways one can’t imagine. For instance, the use of water, earth, or smoke, has been prominent in building creative new photo projects. If you are someone who is looking to inspire yourself, here is a look at some ways you can use liquid substances to make your images stand out.

All images in this article were used with permission in our original interviews.

A Splash of Coffee

What is one’s morning without a good cup of coffee? Similarly, what is the photographer’s assignment like without ingesting some caffein. One of the most common elements found in our kitchen, coffee can help you to create some fantastic abstract art. Mark Mawson’s photo is a great example above. What makes one compelled to the photograph is the quality of liquid, and how it twists and turns in the air. The droplets that are falling away from the main scene further add to the beauty of the image. In fact, coffee, which is a bit more translucent, creates a more silky, water-like effect, drawing the viewer in. Moreover, when they mix together, they reveal a beautiful effect. This photo project by Mark Mawson is fun for anyone who has hit the creative block. While experimental, such images can be used for commercial projects.

Visions of Gideon

What will happen if you submerge a room underwater? This question is answered by Brett Stanley’s photo project, that largely delves into images that were made underwater. A meticulous series, Brett creates a world that is surreal, almost giving one a sense of a parallel life that we only see in movies. The image above is so enchanting, purely because it has a dream-like quality. The girl’s hair and the curtains are the only giveaway that they are underwater, but the other elements do not float or cause a rift in our sense of space. The colors are soft, and the window plays a crucial role in this world building. In Brett’s words, “I really don’t have a plan when it comes to the meaning of my work. I think I’m just trying to get the visions that are in my head out into the real world.” The bridge between visions and reality is finally sealed.

A Storm of Colors

Some photographers are way ahead of their time, and Jaroslav Wieczorkiewicz is one such person. Since 2013, Wieczorkiewicz has created various series such as Milky Pinups, Splash Heroes, Bamboo Forest, Fallen Angels, and Splashscreen, all of which require the use of milk or other liquid agents. The image above showcases Storm from X-Men, in all her fury. To achieve this, Wieczorkiewicz used milk and color, which was then carefully thrown at the model, and shot using a flash, Nikon and Phase One cameras. Of course, such photos, which take days to make, start with a concept, followed by the shoot and then post-production. Each look is meticulously carved out, from which hero they wish to portray, to what the lighting is like, and how much detail they want. What draws the viewers in is how unreal the photograph appears. We have seen Storm in movies and TV shows, but Wieczorkiewicz’s appears unreal given the use of liquid. To some, it may seem like it is made with AI, but only those who photograph will value the extensive work that has gone behind the creation of the photo project.

A Whirlpool of Rage

Water is the easiest source of liquid to acquire. In fact, Einar Otto Stangvik decided to take this forward, and create a whirlpool in a glass, a feat that was not easy to achieve. The photograph is compelling because it makes one uneasy, but also curious about how the effect was achieved. At the same time, the use of reflection appears as if a similar glass has been placed in another dimension, and it may open a portal to the other side. For those who are not willing to go out of their houses, an image like this can be created in a small space, using “plexiglass, stirring the water, and a fog machine along with some well-placed flashes.” The post-production is helpful, as it can elevate the look and tone of the image, making it appear dramatic.

A Liquid Insect

Liquids can create some fantastic fine-art photos, and Jim Kramer‘s version above is an example of that. The image appears like a butterfly from the land of Pandora in motion. The blend of white and blue, and the splash that appears like wings, only add to the whole scene. If you are someone who wants to create distinct shapes or insects, liquids such as paint or milk can be of help. Explaining his work, Kramer said in our interview, “I am inspired by the moments we normally do not see, and desire to capture those moments, and share them with the world. I hope you enjoy my collection of time captured images. Each represents a once in a lifetime event that can never be repeated.”

Birth of Iris

Lightly colored iris have always been a fascination of photographers. Instead of photographing a person, Fabian Oefner chose to create something similar with the use of oil, color, and water. The blue and the brown shade, and the lines created by the liquids, make it seem very real. In fact, he added water to a “black reservoir and injected small drops of oil with a syringe onto the water surface.” What you get then are some fascinating circles with a burst of color, much like bubble photographs. Similarly, one can work on a photo project of this nature, that can oscillate between the beauty of human eyes and the universe.