Frozen Splash: Capturing Artistic Photos of Tea Splashes

Experimenting with Photography to Freeze the Beauty of Liquid Motion

This experimental photo session, aptly named "Frozen Splash," focuses on capturing the dynamic splashes created by tea. Using a Canon 5D M4 camera equipped with a 24-70mm Canon Lens, Taher froze the tea splashes using a speedlite flash (Godox V1) positioned in the background. To add an element of unpredictability and artistic accident, the cups were tied to a transparent rope. By pulling the rope at different times and in different directions, Taher was able to create stunning and unique splashes, resulting in these artistic photographs.

The success of this shoot relied heavily on the light setup and shutter timing. The fast speedlite flash helped freeze the motion of the tea splash, while the shutter speed captured the moment with precision. Timing the shutter speed with the movement of the cups proved to be a challenging task, often requiring the assistance of a second person. However, Taher emphasizes that there is no right or wrong in this process; photographs taken slightly earlier or later can yield different and unexpected results.

The raw photos were taken using the Canon camera and then edited for color correction in Adobe Lightroom. Further editing was done in Adobe Photoshop to enhance the overall aesthetic of the images. The final result is a series of JPEG files that showcase the beauty and intricacy of frozen tea splashes.

The "Frozen Splash" project was shot in July 2020 in Kuwait. Taher's research for this design involved digital research and online courses, as well as continuous testing and practical experimentation with different items to achieve the best results. One of the main challenges Taher faced was capturing the photos at the precise moment when the splash occurred, as the splashes happen within milliseconds. However, his dedication and perseverance paid off, resulting in a visually captivating series of photographs.

The attention to detail in the "Frozen Splash" photo shoot is evident in the unique and aesthetically pleasing shapes formed by the frozen tea splashes. The combination of traditional photography techniques and photo manipulation has resulted in a stunning display of beauty and creativity. This series is sure to captivate and inspire art and photography enthusiasts alike.

Image Credits: Photographer Hassan Taher / Graphic Designer: Hassan Abdullah Taher / Frozen Splash / 2020

Intellectual Property Notice: Copyrights belong to Hassan Taher, 2021

Awards and Accolades: The "Frozen Splash" design was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in Photography and Photo Manipulation Design in 2023. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding and creatively ingenious designs that authenticate experience and resourcefulness. The "Frozen Splash" series exhibits strong technical and creative skills, contributing to improvements in the quality of life and making the world a better place.