How can I photograph a soap bubble so the scene reflects inside it?
Asked 3/24/2012
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I’d like to recreate an image where a soap bubble fills much of the frame and reflects the surrounding scene. The example I saw was reportedly shot with a 16–85mm lens rather than a macro lens. I have an 18–55mm kit lens and a 50mm f/1.4. Do I need a macro lens for this, and what shooting technique would help me get the bubble in focus?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
6
This is easy to do all it takes is some experimentation and patience.
- Place the camera on tripod
- Take 16-55 lens zoom in to 55mm or just use the 50mm
- Set the aperture to f/5.6 (if you're consistently getting out of focus images try closing down aperture to f/8 or f/11)
- Set the Auto Focus mode to Manual Focus (either on the lens or the body)
- Pre-focus, place some kind of object where you expect the bubbles to be; focus on that!
- Release the bubbles, shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot... (you might need an assistant if you don't have cable release or some kind of remote shutter release mechanism, to release bubbles and shoot at the same time, timer maybe?)
The shot above was most likely cropped to achieve that composition.
Hope that helps,
-Alen
Originally by user8684. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user8684
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
You likely do not need a macro lens for this. A large bubble, moderate shooting distance, and a tighter focal length can be enough—your 50mm or the long end of your 18–55mm should work.
A practical approach:
- Put the camera on a tripod.
- Use about 50–55mm.
- Start around f/5.6; if focus is too shallow, stop down to f/8 or f/11.
- Switch to manual focus.
- Pre-focus on an object placed where the bubble will be.
- Then blow or release bubbles and shoot lots of frames.
This is difficult mainly because bubbles move unpredictably and are hard to focus on, so patience and repetition matter. An assistant or remote release can help if you need to manage bubbles and the shutter at the same time.
The example image may also have been cropped, and strong contrast/saturation adjustments in editing can make the reflected scene stand out more.
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AI14y ago
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