I am undertaking a new art project. The above images are the first test results. This stems from a visual effects technique known as cloud tank photography. It has been used to stunning results in many movies, like, “Raiders of the lost ark” and “Close Encounters of the third kind”. I was thinking it would be interesting to use this in an art / photography project, and just see what I could get.

This was shot in a really small (10 gal.) tank but I would like to step that up to something more substantial. The “cloudy” look is done with just flour and water, poured in at different places to see what it would do, and then I would adjust based on what I was seeing. I will switch to tempra paint and possibly a few other dyes and inks to see what effect they give in the next run.

Here are a few links to some cloud tank info

Eric Alba VFX Supervisor

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alba/sets/72157627521635089/with/3811117048/

Scott Squires VFX Supervisor

http://effectscorner.blogspot.com/2009/02/cloud-tank-effect.html

and of course FXGuide / FX PHD

http://www.fxphd.com/blog/cloud-tanks/

additionally Digital Juice Stock footage library, Compositors toolkit

http://www.digitaljuice.com/products/product_lines.asp?plid=12