• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

DIGITAL PHOTO MENTOR

Photography tips, tutorials and guides for Beginner and Intermediate Photographers.

  • Start Here
  • Photography Basics
    • Beginner Photography Tutorials
    • Free Photography Basics for Beginners Course
  • Photography Articles
    • Beginner Photography Tutorials
    • Photography Challenges
    • Photography Tips
      • Portrait Photography
        • Flash Photography
      • Night Photography
      • Street Photography
      • Photo Editing
      • Landscape Photography
      • Macro Photography
      • Photoshop Tutorials
      • Photography Equipment
  • Online Courses
    • Luminar Neo Course
    • Lightroom for Photographers: The Complete Course
    • Photoshop For Photographers: The Complete Course
    • Portrait Fundamentals
  • Private Tutoring
  • Store
    • Online Courses
    • Bokeh Overlays
    • Sky Replacements
    • Texture Backgrounds
    • Lightroom Presets
    • Private Tutoring
    • Cart
  • Login
  • Photography Basics
    • Beginner Photography Tutorials
    • Free Photography Basics for Beginners Course
  • Photography Challenges
    • Photography Challenges E-Book
    • 5-Day Photo Editing Challenge
    • All Our Photography Challenges
  • Photography Tips
    • Portrait Photography
      • Free Portrait Photography Key Concepts Course
      • Flash Photography
    • Night Photography
    • Street Photography
    • Travel Photography
    • Landscape Photography
    • Macro Photography
    • Photography Equipment
  • Photo Editing
    • Luminar
    • Learn How to Use Lightroom Classic – Online Course
    • Photoshop Tutorials
  • Gallery
  • Resources
    • Free Basics for Beginners Course
    • Free Portrait Photography for Beginners Course
    • Lightroom Presets
    • Texture Pack for Photoshop, Luminar
    • Webinars
    • YouTube Channel
Home » Photography Tips » Stay at Home Project – Soap Bubble Photography
Stay at Home Project – Soap Bubble Photography

Stay at Home Project – Soap Bubble Photography

by Darlene Hildebrandt | Last Updated: May 18, 2020

Share86
Tweet
Pin1K
WhatsApp
Email

Here is something really fun for you to try at home. I scoured YouTube for videos on how to do soap bubble photography to find the best ones for you.

The best part is you don’t need a lot of expensive gear to do this. So if you wanna see how to create images this, read on and watch the videos below.

Photo by Lanju Fotografie on Unsplash

Gear needed to do soap bubble photography

As I mentioned above, you need minimal gear to do soap bubble photography, but there are a few things that are essential. Then once you’ve tried that, if you want to take it up a notch there are some other optional items you can add to the setup. 

Essentials

Here is a list of the must-have items that are essential for doing soap bubble photography. 

  • Camera with adjustable settings (you’ll want to use Manual Mode).
  • A lens that has a close focusing distance, ideally one that is not a wide-angle lens (if you have a macro lens use that).
  • A 5-in-1 reflector with a translucent inner portion (you can get a small 32″ one for under $20).
  • A black lens cap (to use to hold the soap solution).
  • A tripod (this is essential, you cannot hand hold this kind of shot.
  • Liquid soap (ordinary dish soap will work fine).
  • Glycerine (this will help to keep the bubbles from popping too fast).
Tripod
Tripod
Camera
5-in-1 reflector.

Optional upgrades

If you want to go the extra mile you can use a macro lens (or extension tubes or close-up filters) to get closer and make the bubble bigger in your frame.

You can also use flash (a speedlight) if you have one, and it gives you more control over the lighting. But if you don’t have a flash, the first video below shows you a method of doing this with just the sun and a small reflector. So we got you covered. 

Here is a list of optional items if you want to take it up a level:

  • A speedlight or flash.
  • A remote trigger to fire your camera.
  • A method of getting closer (a macro lens, extension tubes, or close-up filters). You can get a set of inexpensive filters for under $20 if you want to try it (just make sure you buy the right size to fit your lens). 
  • A small softbox to soften the light so you get a nice highlight on the bubble.
  • A rain cover or protective gear for your camera (just in case you’re messy and splash).
speedlight or flash
Speedlight or flash
Extension tubes
Godox small softbox

I’ve made up a shopping list for you if you need to pick up a few things. CLICK HERE to see all the items needed to do soap bubble photography. 

If you just need a tripod and need advice on buying one, read this: Stress-Free Tips for Buying a Camera Tripod. Then make sure you’re confident using your tripod by reading this: 9 Tripod Mistakes That Could Be Ruining Your Images and Putting Your Camera at Risk.

For a list of options if you want to expand your repertoire into flash photography CLICK HERE to go shopping (I’ve included many budget options under $100 as well). Then start reading my flash tutorials here: How to Use Your Flash – Tips for Total Beginners.

Okay, ready to get started?! 

Soap Bubble Photography – Video #1

This first video is from Mike Smith. He does a great job of explaining and demonstrating how to do soap bubble photography.

This is the one you will want to watch if you do not have a flash (starting at about the 15:30 mark). Make sure you still watch the first part about setting up and making the soap solution too though so you don’t miss some critical steps. 

He also goes into using extension tubes and shows how to get closer. 

Read more on using those here: How to Use Extension Tubes for Macro Photography.

Soap Bubble Photography – Video #2

This second video is from Stewart Gibbs. He demonstrates how to do this using just a simple kit lens so regardless of what gear you have, you can follow along. 

He also shows some processing tips at the end to make the colors pop in your bubble images. 

He also has a newer updated version where he shows a different technique. It’s a bit more involved and complicated because you’re attempting to catch the bubbles in midair like this:

Photo by Marc Sendra Martorell on Unsplash.

So if you want to challenge yourself, give this one a watch.

soap bubbles photography

Your turn!

Well, I don’t know about you but I want to try this! I’m not sure how my cats will behave with the bubbles but I think this one could be a lot of fun. 

I’d love to see your soap bubble photos if you give this a whirl. Please share them in the comment area below, and if you figure out any good tips do tell us! 

Photo by Daniel Olah on Unsplash – Turn your bubble photo sideways to make a tiny little planet like this! 

Cheers,
Darlene Hildebrandt photographer DPM

 
Share86
Tweet
Pin1K
WhatsApp
Email

About Darlene Hildebrandt

Darlene is an educator who teaches aspiring amateurs and hobbyists how to improve their skills through her articles here on Digital Photo Mentor, her beginner photography course, and private tutoring lessons. To help you at whatever level you're at she has two email mini-courses. Sign up for her free beginner OR portrait photography email mini-course. Or get both, no charge!

ultimate photography bundle

There’s NEVER been a better time to get Luminar Neo. With this Ultimate Photography Bundle promotion, you recieve the Luminar Neo software, hundreds of LUT’s, Skies, presets and overlays, a Landscape Photography editing course, a Drone photography course and my very own Portrait Fundamentals course, along with a number of other items.

Click here to Get $1019 worth of photography software and courses for an 85% savings.

Digital Photo Mentor is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate Digital Photo Mentor earns from qualifying purchases.
ultimate photography bundle

Ultimate Photography Bundle

There's NEVER been a better time to get Luminar Neo. With this Ultimate Photography Bundle promotion, you recieve the Luminar Neo software, hundreds of LUT's, Skies, presets and overlays, a Landscape Photography editing course, a Drone photography course and my very own Portrait Fundamentals course, along with a number of other items.

Get $1019 worth of photography software and courses for an 85% savings.

Click Here to Purchase

Top Beginner Articles

  • Avoid these 9 beginner photography mistakes
  • 7 Tips for Beginner Photographers
  • Top 15 Photography Accessories under $25
  • How to choose the best digital camera for you
  • 5 Photography Ideas for When There's Nothing Interesting to Shoot
  • 5 mistakes beginner photographers make while using a wide angle lens and how to avoid them
  • 9 Tripod Mistakes Ruining Your Images and Putting Your Camera at Risk
  • Long Exposure Photography

Top Intermediate Articles

  • 10 Camera Settings and Equipment Tips for Portrait Photography
  • Best Photo Editing Software Reviewed
  • Lightroom Alternative: Is Luminar the answer?
  • Top 15 Photography Accessories under $25
  • How to Use a Gray Card for Custom White Balance and Metering
  • Night Photography Settings – Guide to Getting the Best Exposure

Learn Photography Basics

Yes, you can learn to take better photos! It’s my passion to help you learn the photography basics and take better pictures. It’s also the same reason I teach workshops, do photo travel tours, and have online photography courses available.

Enroll in our free photography basics for beginners course, or 12-part portrait photography course, also free.

Recent Photography Articles

  • Stunning Night Photo Edits With Luminar Neo
  • Six ways to make your travel photography stand out
  • Why Street Photography Is So Difficult And How To Overcome It
  • Review of Sigma’s 56mm F/1.4 Lens – Is It Worth It?
  • How To Create Stunning Old-Style Hollywood Black-and-White Glamour Portraits

Useful Links

  • Beginner Photography
  • Intermediate Photography
  • Photography Challenges
  • Photography Tips
  • Photo Editing
  • Resources
  • Recommended Amazon Products
  • Course Login
  • Workshops
  • Webinars
  • Contact
  • Write for Us

Copyright © 2023 Digital Photo Mentor · Privacy Policy · Cookie Policy · Disclaimer