Blowing bubbles (and chasing after them) is a fun pastime that never gets old. That’s why those light-up bubble wands are everywhere. But who knew it could also be a winter sport? Thankfully, a few incredible photographers have taken gorgeous pictures and videos and clued us in to this freezing phenomenon. The bubbles look like a natural snow globe forming before our very eyes. And it’s as simple as using bubble solution in cold weather, or making your own mix of water, dish soap, and glycerin.
The video above, which we saw on Laughing Squid, shares macro photography of the soap bubbles as they ice over. The bubble with tiny snowflakes and fern-like ice coming together are undeniably beautiful. But when the soap bubbles freeze over completely, it’s especially interesting to watch them pop. The thickness and texture of the leftover frozen soap is a definite surprise.
Assuming the -10 degrees the photographer mentions is the temperature in Celsius, that’s only 14 degrees Fahrenheit. Spending some extra time outdoors in that weather seems almost reasonable (even to this Southern Californian) when that much beauty is the reward. Next time it’s freezing outside, you bet I’m going to go and blow some bubbles of my own.
The Another Perspective YouTube channel is full of other amazing macro photography, including of snowflakes, spiders, and mushrooms. The artist also shoots close-up shots of non-freezing bubbles, which are much more colorful and certainly beautiful in their own way. They uploaded a how to video in case you want to try getting some similar images for yourself. Or there’s a few other ways to get truly ethereal photographs, like light painting time-lapses and choreographing underwater shots. And if you’re looking for more frozen soap bubble content, there’s also video of one that levitates using magnets.
Melissa is Nerdist’s science & technology staff writer. She also moderates “science of” panels at conventions and co-hosts Star Warsologies, a podcast about science and Star Wars. Follow her on Twitter @melissatruth.
