Shaken Not Stirred

Last year, I bought a book called Stopping Time, in which scientists and photographers teamed up to freeze the progress of a moment in time and record the scene on film. The so-called "moment" is not a speed that can be seen by the naked eye. Rather, it is a very fast instant, such as the form of a water splash, the moment a balloon is punctured, or even the moment a bullet passes through an apple. I was impressed by their professionalism and passion for achieving perfect timing.

I was equally fascinated to see the energy being released in that moment, which is imperceptible to the naked eye.

What impressed me even more was the fact that all the photographs in the book were taken in the 1960s, before I was born, let alone before the invention of the digital camera.

So when I got my first digital camera, I was inspired to make images like these.

I do not remember how many times I pressed the shutter, but I do remember that when my assistant and I saw the results on the LCD panel of the SD9, we jumped for joy.

Are you interested in the energy that is released in a single moment?

Note 1: This image won me a few awards, including one from the Austria Supercircuit, one of the largest photography competitions in the world.

Note 2: The photograph where the bullet passes through the apple became one of the most important images ever captured. BBC wrote an account of Harold Edgerton's work, which I find truly interesting.

Note 3: The book is still on Amazon. You can find it through the link here.

Updated: 31 January 2007

Awards

2005

1. Austria Supercircuit 2005 - 1st Prize under "Sports, Dynamics & Movement" category + 1000 Euro

2. PSA Salon 2005 - Honorable Mention

“Are you interested in the energy that is released in a single moment?”

3. BBVS Digital Cup 2005, Austria - VOAV Bronze

4. 9th Gran Trou Delle Colline, Italy - FIAP Gold Medal

5. 1st. Sicilian Slide Circuit 2005

2006

1. Georgia Slide Circuit 2006/II - DIXIE Southern Honorable Mention, PSA Medal

2. 42nd. Salon Mondial, Luxembourg - FIAP Gold Medal

3. Euro Picamera & Golden Spurs, Belgium - FIAP Honour Mention

4. 32nd. Algarve Photo Salon, Portugal - PSA Gold Medal

Total: 9 International Awards