Health & Fitness
A Cold Winter Photo Project
Here's a simple & magical project for children and adults. It combines a bit of chilly science that results in some beautiful and natural artwork.
It's been cold here in Iowa this year- really cold. With that in mind, here's a cold, artistic project for photographers and kids the next time the thermometer drops to 20 degrees (or colder). You can do this on any day that's below 32, but it works best when it's even colder!
If you have some regular bubble mix around, put it in the freezer for about 1 hour and then go outside and have the kids blow a blow a bubble. Tell them to catch it on the wand or another damp surface and wait for it to freeze. Even if it's 20 degrees it will take a couple of minutes to freeze and crystallize. You can tell when the bubble starts to freeze because the thick swirls in the bubble will stop moving and little fingers of ice crystals will start to creep across the surface.
If you don't have any bubble mix, here's how to make some. Mix 2 cups of very cold water, 1 tablespoon of Karo syrup and a very generous squirt of dish soap. Mix it well and put it in the freezer for about one hour to get very cold. Since you probably don't have a wand, a straw will work fine. Blow the bubble gently, let it sit on the end of the straw until it starts to freeze then gently place it on the snow or another cold surface.
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The bubbles will eventually collapse on themselves and shatter, so have your camera ready. Put on the macro lens, or change the setting to the macro mode (many digital cameras have this setting). Get nice and close, focus and snap a picture. A good photo of the frozen bubble is amazingly beautiful and like looking into another world! We think the shattered bubbles make pretty cool photos too.
So, bundle up the kids, find your camera and try this project on the next cold winter day. The kids will have fun making lots of frozen bubbles and you can pick the best ones to photograph!
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For more information about the Ankeny Art Center, our exhibitions, class schedules, events or volunteer opportunities, please visit us at www.AnkenyArtCenter.com Stop by and visit our gallery at 1520 SW Ordnance Road, Ankeny. Our gallery hours are: Tu-Fr: 9a-1p, Th: 4p-7p, Sa: 9a-noon and you can reach us by phone at 515-965-0940 or email at: ankenyarts@ankenyartcenter.com. Like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/AnkenyArtCenter