Chill artistry: Photographer freezes bubbles into icy masterpieces

Eden Prairie Local News photographer Gretchen Haynes captured striking images of frozen bubbles during the recent cold snap in Eden Prairie, offering a unique visual exploration that she encourages others to try.

“After three different attempts (and bubble mixtures), I finally had some success,” said the Eden Prairie resident. “I thought others might like to attempt this fun winter trick.”

According to Haynes, here are the essential details for anyone interested in freezing and photographing bubbles:

• Temperature matters: Effective bubble freezing requires temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit; lower temperatures enhance crystallization but also make the bubbles more fragile.
• Wind is the enemy: Any hint of a breeze can cause the bubbles to burst, so still air is a prerequisite.
• Sunshine is a must: To fully appreciate the designs on the bubbles, ample sunlight is essential.

For those willing to experiment, Haynes provided this Frozen Bubbles Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup hot tap water
• 2.5 tbsp corn syrup
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2.5 tbsp dish soap

Instructions:

1. Combine hot water and corn syrup in a container. Stir until the corn syrup is fully dissolved.
2. Add sugar and stir until it dissolves completely.
3. Gently mix in the dish soap until it’s well incorporated. Avoid over-stirring to prevent heat loss.
4. Refrigerate the mixture to chill for at least 30 minutes while setting up for the photoshoot.

Note: Use hot water from the tap; boiling water is not necessary.

Haynes documented her success on a day with a frigid 8-degree temperature, bright sunshine, and almost no wind.

To mitigate a slight breeze, she strategically placed black cardboard on her screened porch, creating a windbreak and ensuring a “clean background” for her photos.

“I also put some snow on a white plate to give the bubbles someplace to set when I took the photos,” she added.

She used a straw to gently blow the bubbles.

“It can take some practice to blow the bubbles and transfer them to the snow,” she stressed.

Haynes emphasized that patience is key in successfully creating frozen bubble art.

“I had some very frustrating attempts that were failures and one previous attempt that was just good enough to keep me going,” she said. “This was the third day of trying over the course of a week and the third bubble mixture I used where I would set everything up and then run back and forth into the house to blow bubbles and take photos. This one worked and was worth sharing!”