Oil on water photography

<p>Hi I've been experimenting a lot with trying to achieve the rainbow oil on water effect, I never imagined it would be this difficult to reproduce... something like this<br>

http://www.capturemyvermont.com/photos/548516<br>

Does anyone have any words of advice or better yet first hand experience to help me out?!</p>

<p>I've tried unleaded petrol, various oils, white spirit.. everything just seems to float on the water as a colourless blob. Help!</p>

<p>Sorry to ask this, but have you tried googling this? Also, I saw something about this recently and I think it has something to do with angle of view and lighting, i.e. I think you need a low angle of view and a constant light to get the effect. sorry to be so vague, I read a lot of photography magazines and do searches on the internet to find stuff as well and that's all I can remember.</p>

<p>look up 'thin film interference' for the kind of photo you linked.<br>

<p>Part of the problem may be that your layer of oil is too thick. The colors will be more intense with thinner layers (to a point). Notice in the videos that j.d. recommended that as the thickness of the film increases toward the bottom, the colors become more pastel, and eventually white. The more intense colors are in the thinner area of the film, near the top. Film thicknesses producing intense colors are on the order of wavelengths of light.</p>

<p>You also need a point source of light to produce interference patterns.</p>

<p>You might try a drop or two of detergent in the water to help spread the oil. And I think a polarising filter might help.</p>

<p>Mark is correct. I would suggest using a volatile substance for your oil layer, such as gasoline. If you apply it too thickly, it will thin out as it evaporates. You'll be guaranteed a colorful sheen at some stage of the process. I would suggest dipping the tip of a paper towel in the gasoline, and then lightly dabbing the water.</p>

<p>Hi guys, thanks for all the golden tips, I'll be giving them a whirl at the weekend! </p>

<p>@jd thanks for those very handy. I've been down the bubble route, but as I'm actually filming the effect I need it to last long enough for me to get the shot. Bubbles seem too unstable, I might go back to it if the oil continues to foil me.</p>

<p>@edward is not diffused light better? Well I've been using a light pointed at a white bounce card reflected in the surface, seems to work well.</p>

<p>Also I've had a go with unleaded petroleum already, would anyone know if diesel might work better?</p>

<p>Well, living around boats, I see very little difference in sheen between diesel and gasoline. The gasoline might be more dynamic, producing different colors as air currents carry off some of the fumes. You could also mix gasoline and diesel for something in between.</p>

<p>The reason a point source was recommended is that the ray paths/angles will be more consistent, such that the constructive/destructive interference will occur at more specific wavelengths, hence better color. This would be true especially if the oil film is a bit thicker and ray paths longer. However, there is no reason the light cannot be more diffused if it's better for other aspects of your photo. A very thin film will be even more important, and color might suffer somewhat. But it should still work. You can always increase saturation in post!</p>

<p>Ok thanks for that, I'll just stick with regular fuel for now then, will be a much cleaner clear up.<br>

I'll keep experimenting with lights too, it's possible that was my main problem with my last setup.<br>

Thanks for your help everyone, I'll try and post some results if I succeed (and don't pass out from the fumes in the process)!</p>