Behind the Pixels Ep. 3 - Water Balloon High Speed Flash Photograph...

Photoblog by Hive account@runrudy

#behindthepixels

I want to start off thanking Hive account@jamtaylor for promoting my macro artwork in his first issue of Viewfinder Steemzine.

If you haven't seen it yet, https://steemit.com/photography/@jamtaylor/viewfinder-steemzine-vol-1-inspiration-reviews-how-to-s-behind-the-photo-and-more

Here is today's photo:

Earlier this year, I saw some top commercial studio photographers creating cool portrait images of people and popping water balloons.

I am always trying to challenge myself and grow as a photographer/artist.

I thought, maybe I should try that?

So, as any good scientist would do. I carefully analyzed each photo and visited each photographer's website for any hints on how to reverse engineer and accomplish the same look.

I found out that I was kinda behind the eight ball:

I don't consider myself a pro, I am still barely a Padawan in training.
They were all using professional models. I have my wonderful but impatient kids.
They all had a crew of 3-6 assistants on the shoot to help. I only had me, myself and I.

I said screw it and let's try. Let's see where I stack up.

Little did I know that this would be one the most difficult projects I have done to date.

Here are the final images. I am pleased with the results but not exactly what I imagined in my mind. I think I did the best with what I had.

What do you guys think?

This one is my favorite.

My daughter just turned 8 years old so we did this one for her.

I showed a friend and she said, "Cool, can you do that with my son." I was like hell no. I don't think I can do that again.

My daughters are real troopers.

We did this over and over dozens of times. It took me about three weeks to finally figure it all out.

I am very lucky to have them as training models.

I would be pressed to find anyone that would let me pop a balloon in their face two dozen times.

Then add in the fact it's a water balloon, your in a cold pitch black studio, having to keep still and keep a cute smile on your face while it explodes. Pheew. They are the best little knuckle heads a dad could ask for.

Here are a few of the behind the scenes, progression, misfires, bloopers and outtakes.

This was a timing and proof of concept practice shot. You can see the stick which has a pin at the end. At the same time I am reaching over to hit the shutter button on my camera. In my head: it's one, two, three pop balloon/push shutter button. I edit all that out in post for the final images.