Water Lens Photography
Mentor 1
Joseph Mougel
Start Date
28-4-2023 12:00 AM
Description
Traditionally, cameras employ lenses formed from glass, but glass is not unique in this regard. A hollow lens filled with water will function in much the same manner, focusing the light to create an inverted image of the surrounding landscape. In this research project, we utilize modern 3d resin printing techniques to produce hollow lens elements, then fill them with water from the Great Lakes, to create a photographic survey of those lakes in which the subject merges with the medium. Optics engineering software is used to calculate accurate refraction angles for light passing through the various materials (air/water/resin) and thicknesses at each point through the lens. Individual lens components are digitally 3D modeled to comprise sealed lens elements. All components are then printed in optically clear resin, cured, cleaned, and finally hand sanded and polished. The fully constructed components are then assembled into sealed elements, filled with lake water, and fitted into a customized medium format 4x5 camera for use. Our research has found that 3D resin printing is a viable method for producing optically clear lenses, especially prototyping unique shapes, though the finishing process is laborious. The printing process also results in occasional bubbles and internal prismatic grain effects that affect the clarity of the captured image. To avoid this, we are exploring using the 3D printing process in conjunction with mold making techniques to produce a set of closed molds for each lens element rather than finished elements themselves. We will then manually cast the resin into those molds to produce the lens components, eliminating the opportunity for internal bubble and prismatic grain formation. We are beginning the photographic survey by taking our existing 3D printed lenses and camera into the field to capture the first images of Lake Michigans shoreline local to UWM.
Water Lens Photography
Traditionally, cameras employ lenses formed from glass, but glass is not unique in this regard. A hollow lens filled with water will function in much the same manner, focusing the light to create an inverted image of the surrounding landscape. In this research project, we utilize modern 3d resin printing techniques to produce hollow lens elements, then fill them with water from the Great Lakes, to create a photographic survey of those lakes in which the subject merges with the medium. Optics engineering software is used to calculate accurate refraction angles for light passing through the various materials (air/water/resin) and thicknesses at each point through the lens. Individual lens components are digitally 3D modeled to comprise sealed lens elements. All components are then printed in optically clear resin, cured, cleaned, and finally hand sanded and polished. The fully constructed components are then assembled into sealed elements, filled with lake water, and fitted into a customized medium format 4x5 camera for use. Our research has found that 3D resin printing is a viable method for producing optically clear lenses, especially prototyping unique shapes, though the finishing process is laborious. The printing process also results in occasional bubbles and internal prismatic grain effects that affect the clarity of the captured image. To avoid this, we are exploring using the 3D printing process in conjunction with mold making techniques to produce a set of closed molds for each lens element rather than finished elements themselves. We will then manually cast the resin into those molds to produce the lens components, eliminating the opportunity for internal bubble and prismatic grain formation. We are beginning the photographic survey by taking our existing 3D printed lenses and camera into the field to capture the first images of Lake Michigans shoreline local to UWM.
