DIY Photography

Hacking Photography - one Picture at a time

  • News
  • Inspiration
  • Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • DIY
  • Gear
Search

Submit A Story

The Microcosmos of Winter: How I shot ice crystals in sub-zero temperatures with an extreme macro lens

Jan 26, 2023 by Jens Heidler Leave a Comment

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

In the “Microcosmos of Winter,” I wanted to show never-seen-before footage of a soap bubble that starts to freeze. I previously tried to film this two years ago with my Sony 90 1:1 and Raynox DRC-250, which only allowed me to shoot at about 2X magnification. However, the weather in Germany at that time was simply too warm for it to work.

Two years later, and with suitable cold conditions of -10°C, I was ready to try again. This time, I was armed with my Laowa 25mm, which has a 5:1 magnification, allowing me to shoot extreme macro detail.

Requirements

For this to work, it’s imperative that temperatures are below -7°C (-21F). You’ll be shooting outside, of course, unless you have access to a walk-in freezer. You’ll need to wrap up warm accordingly.

Mix 80% water with 10% dishwashing soap and 10% glycerine (sugar syrup also works). This will prevent the bubble from popping, as the wind can be a huge problem. The ratio is not very important. At different temperatures, different crystals will appear. My advice is to just experiment to get as many different ice structures as possible.

You will also need a tripod to stabilize the camera, a camera (obviously!), and a macro lens with at least 2x magnification. I shoot with a Sony α7R IV camera body.

Last year I bought the Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5x to be able to shoot at 5x magnification. This allows me to capture the crystalization process and dendrites with high detail. I shoot at 5x magnification, f/5.6-f/8. I have discovered that apertures higher than f/8 are a little soft with this lens.

How to shoot the crystals

To nail the focus, I recommend that you create the bubble on top of a bottle cap. This way, you are able to consistently make bubbles the same size. It will then be very easy to focus manually.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jens (@anotherperspective_yt)

I set the camera on a tripod and shot using 4K video. The lens is set to 4.5x magnification, which allows me to adjust the focus
without needing to move either the camera or the bubble. If you want to get really accurate, then using a focus rail would be a very helpful choice.

The Microcosmos of Winter: How I shot ice crystals in sub-zero temperatures with an extreme macro lens

After I set the focus manually, I switched to crop mode and started the 4K video. Depending on the crop factor, I get 4K video at 7.5X magnification on my camera.

For lighting, I used a powerful LED continuous light such as this one from Godox. This works great when it’s placed behind the bubble. This allowed me to shoot at ISO 100 at f/8.

The Microcosmos of Winter: How I shot ice crystals in sub-zero temperatures with an extreme macro lens

Ice crystals are absolutely beautiful, particularly when shot in such extreme macro. Filming them forming in real time is actually quite mind-blowing. It almost gives the impression that this is a timelapse, however, it is not. Just very cold conditions.

It really is as simple (and as complicated!) as that! If the weather conditions are cold enough, give it a go! Much of the process ultimately is trial and error, but you’ll be surprised at the images and footage you can create.

About the Author

Jens Heidler is a photographer and filmmaker based in Germany. He is best known for his YouTube channel, Another Perspective where he explores the subjects of macro photography, slow motion, and time-lapse. You can follow Jens on his YouTube channel, or on Instagram.

 

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Related posts:

Fuji lens found after four months in the wilderness, rain and extreme temperatures, and it still works This rear cap protects your lens from extreme temperatures and humidity DJI announces Osmo Action 3 with dedicated portrait mode and battery that operates in extreme temperatures How to take colorful macro photos of crystals without a microscope

Filed Under: Tutorials Tagged With: Another Perspective, Extreme Weather, Ice crystals, Jens Heidler, Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro, macro photography

« Sony Japan announces 14% price hike on cameras, lenses and other products coming on February 1st
Blind Spot Gear announces the Power Junkie v2 with USB Power Delivery and charging abilities »

Submit A Story

Get our FREE Lighting Book

DIYP lighting book cover

* download requires newsletter signup
DIYPhotography

Recent Comments

Free Resources

Advanced lighting book

Recent Posts

  • Watch: How good (or bad) is an $8.50 tripod?
  • How to light and photograph Lego building interiors
  • Lighting Setup: How to light your portraits with £50 LED tubes
  • Review: Insta360 announces its first gimbal – The AI-tracking Insta360 Flow
  • World Press Photo 2023 regional winners show why AI will never kill photography

Alex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

Dave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

Copyright © DIYPhotography 2006 - 2023 | About | Contact | Advertise | Write for DIYP | Full Disclosure | Privacy Policy