Oil on Water

I am currently working on oil and water photographs for for Level 2 Award - called AIPF - with the Irish Photographic Federation. Having completed and passing the more general LIPF Award in 2018, the requirement is for photographers to get more specific. Though I shoot a lot of landscape photos I have been very successful in my camera club winning the abstract competitions over the past 3 years. And so i am looking for advice, tips etc for shooting oil on water.

I shoot with a Sony A7R3 and the Sony SEL FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS lens

I have a room that I have set up a tripod, a new large clear baking/oven dish, normally 2cm of water, Olive Oil, a little washing up liquid (too much and bubbles appear), coloured and reflective paper for under the dish, a camera switch and 2 large piles of National Geographic with a an old framed window to bridge the 2 stacks and on which to place the baking tray and of course a level for the dish and the over head camera.

I usually shoot at F4-7.1 ish. When I shot at F2.8, it was nearly impossible to get all the photo in focus. I can shoot at anything from 1/20th of a second to 1/100th. ISO at 50 or 100.

I also use a portable flash with the controller attached to the camera.

I am posting 2 shots taken for this project below. They are not 100% edited but are samplers of what i am doing.

I would really appreciate advice, tips, shared experiences with what worked and didn't work when tackling Oil on Water Photography or if there is a similar yet different technique that you have used or that you have come across on the likes of Pinterest etc, please share how it shot/Taken/accomplished.

There are many different variations and it can be a very rewarding form of photography when it is successful.

Thanks in advance,

Fergus Cooper

Fractal oils:

Different oils floated on a slightly alkaline solution