Capturing colorful high-speed lightbulb explosions with a low-cost rig

Ever since Harold Edgerton photographed a bullet tearing through an apple, it seems the urge to document these split seconds of destruction has not flagged. In photographer Jon Smith’s case, his victims are lightbulbs filled with colorful objects.

Photographer Jon Smith captures images of exploding lightbulbs which have been filled with colorful objects like paint powder and flowers. He fills his lightbulbs by either removing the base or drilling a hole in the top. Some bulbs are dipped in paint for a little extra color.

His setup is surprisingly inexpensive, including a trigger and the flash from a disposable camera, and the whole rig is assembled in his garage. The other key components are a Canon DSLR (first a Canon EOS 7D then an Canon EOS 5D Mark III) and a pellet gun. Each lightbulb is filled with colorful liquids or objects like feathers, dice and beer bottle caps. The camera is pre-focused, shots are fired (both the camera shutter and the pellet gun,) and the moment of impact is captured.

Jon Smith's setup is basic but effective. A cheap sound trigger, the flash from a disposable camera and some other simple components allow him to achieve his eye-catching results.

Though lightbulbs are most certainly at risk in Smith's possession, no harm is done to his garage in the process. If the bulb and its contents don't stop the pellet, a punching bag in the line of fire absorbs the impact. 

Click here to read more about his rig and see more of Jon Smith's colorful lightbulb images.

via Wired

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Comments

Total comments: 6

By Clyde Thomas (3 months ago)

Pretty cool man! Highly innovative and creative. Way to shoot!

0 upvotes

By hobbit mob (3 months ago)

Crazy - I never thought my photos would end up here!

More information that you may (or may not) be interested in: I used a Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 (non-VC) for all the pictures, shot at f8, ISO100.

3 upvotes

By racenviper (3 months ago)

Since it is not permissible to answer questions on DPReview I have a question. Why would you use a hacked up compact camera for a flash when you could easily use a Canon flash or even a cheap Yongnuo flash which is capable of 1/128 of a second flash duration? Some of your images are blurred and could be help with a shorter brighter type flash.

0 upvotes

By hobbit mob (3 months ago)

"Since it is not permissible to answer questions on DPReview I have a question." Not sure what that part means(?)...but in any case, I use the disposable camera because that's how I first learned to set up the high speed rig; there really isn't any other explanation. I just stuck with it because it's been working for me and I've been happy with the results. I have a few 'real' flashes (430exII and Neewer TT560) that I will probably hook up to the sound trigger eventually, I just need to get the right connectors (and enough motivation...I'm a creature of habit...) and try it out.

6 upvotes

By Tan68 (3 months ago)

Well the light bulb isn't in a forest and he isn't shooting fireworks at it.

I like this. I have read about sound triggers before. Never really looked into it, though.

The picture above looks a little like a baby duck has been stuffed in the bulb... Until reading the blurb, I thought it had been photoshopped into the bulb. A metaphor for leaving the nest. Who knows. Glad it isn't a chicken.

0 upvotes

By PowerG9atBlackForest (3 months ago)

So much about guns for everyone ...

Comment edited 52 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Total comments: 6