Trying to stop motion

[DeanP]

I saw this a while back ago and always wanted to try it, has anyone else ever done a shot like this? Would it be btter to use more light and wash out all shadows, or do i need more shadow? Figure shots like this interrest me alot. I think if i try this again, i will have the nails painted. Comments/sugestions for improvement? Thanks in advance
Dean

[Hawaii_Mike]

Because of the size of the image you are posting, it is really very difficult to figure out what you are trying to do.

It looks to me that your model is holding a piece of ice and you are trying to stop the water drop in mid-air... but it is not clear at all.

Anyway, if this is the case... The problem with water is that it's basically a clear fuild. You might do better trying to drip paint, milk, stage blood, etc... something thick and opaque.

Basically, the trick with these stop motion photos is two fold

1) Get enough light, in the right spot, and make very very short exposures - If the light is from a strobe, get a high power unit that produces the shortest duration bursts. Otherwise get a camera with a very fast shutter and use fast film.

2) Find an efficient way to trigger the camera and strobe efficiently.

Either way, you'll need plenty of patience.

Good luck,
Michael

[Photonut]

Dean,

Here is my try at it. Mine is not great but interesting. Keep trying.