How to Capture Objects Midair with High-Speed Photography

Photography Tips

Have you ever wondered how photographers take those amazing shots of objects flying in midair? These types of photos are common in product and food photography, and it goes without saying that this technique requires a lot of preparation and a very concrete understanding of the process. In today’s video, photographer Mark Wallace with Adorama demonstrates how you can freeze motion in an unusual way.

Wallace uses his custom-made “fling-a-ma-jig” to help him fling things and freeze them midair. It’s amazing to see how he designed and 3D-printed the tool by himself. As Wallace demonstrates in the video, this tool allows you to shoot objects up.

But flinging is just the first step. It’s more important to get the camera to fire when the product object is in the air. We also need to ensure the subject is frozen and well lit in the final photograph. It sounds like a lot, but the way Wallace has his rig set up, everything makes so much sense. Be sure to watch the complete video as Wallace tackles each of these problems one at a time.

It’s really fun watching Wallace flinging different things in the air: sprinkles, water, even a wine glass gets airborn treatment. It’s also interesting to see how the camera settings and the flash setup allow him to get a sharp and illuminated shot while everything else is totally dark. This definitely saves a lot of time in post-processing.

Toward the end of the video, he also demonstrates how you can accomplish the same effect with the camera set to shoot at a very high shutter speed and continuous shooting mode, and a using bright continuous light instead of a strobe. And as you can see, the results are nearly identical.

This video is also a great example of how you can mix your other hobbies with photography and come up with something even more exciting. What other crazy ideas do you have that you want to try out? We’d love you hear your ideas.