Footprint the photo – tutorial

Footprint – tutorial!

Footprint is an experiment I tried to realize. I got inspired from similar shots and decided to have my shoot too!
Use this link for the Italian version of this article (usa questo link per vedere la versione Italiana di questo articolo).

How I got there!

impronta bozza ispirazione how to footprintI did a basic sketch to decide how to proceed. So, paper and pencil and I got my basic scene setup done. It’s always a nice idea to start from a basic plan to develop an idea.
I’m use to have paper and pencil more often then my camera. I always try to find some inspiration around…

At the beginning of the project, I used some water and a drop counter to design my basic scene, the Footprint. So far, I couldn’t manage to prevent water to move larger and flat.
Then I decided to use a different kind of fluid, and move to glycerin. It’s really easy to buy glycerin and it’s really cheap.

Glycerin is denser then water and with a higher index of refraction. With the use of a syringe I have been able to pose glycerin in a little shape. By the way, do not touch the glycerin directly else you’ll risk to make a mess of your camera and lens.

Get the Pict!

With the help of a little hand held led light (my main light) in my left hand, and the dSRL in the other, I just shoot some photos and at the third try I’ve been lucky.
A macro lens or a close up filter could help. I hadn’t any at the moment. So far, the result is not that bad!
Have a try yourself and let me see you best result if you like 😉

Cost of the photo!

Well, this test and pict is probably one of the cheapest I ever tested.
Glycerin and a syringe are easy to provide and really cheap. Anyone can get these for less then 10€.

Few money, few time and a lot of fun… ^^