Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi!
I need help on the topic of Stroboscopic Photography. I got the project idea from this website but I need it to be in a more experiment format: The effect of _____ on _______. I really like this project but I need variables to change. Do you have any ideas on what variables I could change? What do professionals change? What do professionals use it for?

I hope you can help me!!!! SOON!
Thanks!
Natochic

natochic wrote:Hi!
I need help on the topic of Stroboscopic Photography. I got the project idea from this website but I need it to be in a more experiment format: The effect of _____ on _______. I really like this project but I need variables to change. Do you have any ideas on what variables I could change? What do professionals change? What do professionals use it for?

I hope you can help me!!!! SOON!
Thanks!
Natochic

Hi, Natochic!

Your area of interest sounds pretty cool. The task of choosing what kind of experiment to perform depends on what interests you the most. What do you like about stroboscopic photography? What parts of it seem cool? Another thing to consider are the parts of it that can be changed or controlled. Can you vary the time between exposures? Can you vary the length of each exposure? Can you put together a single stroboscopic image using different exposures? Can you change the distance from the lens to the subject? Can you compare physical (stroboscopic disk exposure) to light (stroboscopic flash exposure) to some kind of digitial processing? What effect does the amount of light available have on exposure duration and time interval between exposures to ensure a good result? Is it possible to produce stroboscopic images with simple equipment available in a department store? And so on...

I suggest that you consider these and other options as you approach this project.

Hi:

Don't know if this will help you, but if you live in the Boston area, there is an amazing collection of stroboscopic photographs as well as a few neet strobe experiments with water droplets, etc.. in a public hall at MIT.

It is called Strobe Alley, if memory serves, and used to be outside the office / labs of Dr. Harold Edgerton, who invented the strobe. Lots of incredible photographs, memorabilia, etc... from the world's expert. He was very good friends with Jacques Cousteau, and went on many expeditions with him. Imagine all sorts of large objects thrown off the roof of a building at MIT, and Dr. Edgerton there to photograph them (and keep us all out of jail.)

He was an amazing man, and this mini-museum would be wonderful if you lived there (not a taking a long trip kind of collection, but if you are in New England, Boston is a great town.)

HTH