When I saw one of the photo prompts for September was bubbles, I thought, well that’s nice, i have bubble potion, i shall blow bubbles and photograph bubbles.
Isn’t that a lovely thought? Having a date with bubbles?
In my mind’s eye, I pictured a beautiful sunny day. I imagined the colorful iridescence of soapy bubbles floating over the green grass. I’d invite doggo out to play and the girls to blow bubbles with me. We’d all smile and laugh and wag our tails in the splendor. That was my plan.
I’m a visual person, so usually when I envision things, I can make them happen. Besides, how many times have we seen pictures of shiny bubbles? Tons. Tons!
Here are a couple from Pixabay:
Totally what I imagined.
Make it seem like any ol pleb with a smartphone can photograph a stunning bubbly visual display with ease.
NO.
This did not happen for me.
The weather was 79 and breezy. It was delicious.
Sadie was thrilled to hang out in the yard and eat the good grass. Sassy had homework. Moo came with, but tired of it quickly.
I had a great time blowing bubbles. I don’t know when I’d last blown bubbles. How cheerful!
After blowing a significant amount of bubbles and determining the wind direction, I turned my camera toward the area they’d been landing. I was delighted that the ground looked very early fall.
Mostly, I got wet. Wet jeans, wet foot, wet shirt. That’s when I first noticed mosquitoes.
But I kept on. Determined to get a great shot of bubbles.
Bubbles are rather unstable. Wobbly, blurry, changing constantly, dissolving, popping. Faster than the click.
Not as imagined.
At several points the wind direction changed and rounds of bubbles flew back into my face and then I was spitting out soapy hair, Pltha, Pltha, Pltha!
Then I thought maybe I could get a picture of me blowing the bubbles, so I tried that for a while.
At an unfortunate angle highlighting my nostrils.
I decided to use this one. It features zero nostrils and zero bubbles. It’s more of a bubble suggestion. A mere implication of bubbles.
People accepted this bubbleless bubble photo and several commented about how much they liked it.
I decided to stick to the blowing of the bubbles. Blowing bubbles is much more fun than photographing bubbles. Trying to photograph bubbles is best left to people who are not me. If you need a photography challenge, try bubbles.
The next day the prompt was trash. Trash. For fuck’s sake.
Got any wayward prompt stories to share?
Bubbles are fun! We do lots of bubbles with our grand daughter, and I’ve taken a few photos and videos that turned out pretty good. Once I tried to freeze a bubble…didn’t work. I also had some catnip scented bubbles for the cats…they loved catching them. Wayward photo prompts, yep, all the time, and taking so many photos just to get one good one! haha! Love your post about bubbles! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Ooh, catnip bubbles. Wow, I gotta try that out for my big kitty boy!
Do share your bubble photos sometime! I’d love to see how well yours turned out 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bubbles bring back memories of childhood and our daughter’s childhood. I think I’ll leave them there, in a good space. When I try to get the photos I see in my head, it almost never works. I think these things take way more planning than I’m willing to put in. I like your photos. I like looking through bubbles on the ground.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think I’ll ever give up bubbles 🙂 Kinda wondered why I don’t do it more often. They’re certainly more fun with toddlers chasing them, smiling and laughing, so I can see why you’ll store your bubble memories there.
I’m glad you like my shots, I sure wish I did.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL you are too funny. I love the idea of bubbles but definitely hate the soapy mess! Perhaps take a picture of the kids blowing bubbles or have the kids take the pictures of you? Holding the camera/phone and blowing bubbles at the same time would be more than I could handle 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! It was pretty hectic! Supposed to take the photos in the daily prompts, but yes, I did take photos of Moo with the bubbles, I just don’t share them publicly. She sat next to me a while, tryin to maximize bubbles, so when we first blew, there’d be 12-20 in the frame, but by the time the camera went off, there’d be, well, as you see, like, two! LOL
Best just to blow the bubbles. Next time there’s a bubble prompt, I’ll stick to soap! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
How is it that “trash” can follow “bubbles” ????
LikeLiked by 2 people
I dunno. I thought Trash was the worst prompt ever. Unable to find or make pretty trash, I ended up shooting my dinner prep scraps. 😦 It was a sad day for viewing everyone’s takes. One of the very talented flat-layers did yard debris and it was almost pretty. For dead stuff.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like your bubble photos. Trust the process they say. So what if you aren’t the perfect bubble photographer? We can’t all, and some don’t.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m just gonna stick to the blowing of the bubbles, Ally. I have new esteem for those who photograph them well 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love bubbles. When I was in college we used to blow smoke into them so they would make a small puff when they burst. Such is the life of the student. Who prompts you and why. I think pictures of trash might be fun. It would be so much easier than bubbles. Trash just lies there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s something like a million people who do FatMumSlim’s PhotoADay Challenge. The prompts are run by FatMumSlim, a blogger and photographer in Australia. It’s generally good, I enjoy it, but some days, but more of a challenge than I’m up to.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fun post! Bubbles are hard to photograph! Blowing bubbles, drops, plops, and splashes…all. hard. to. photograph! But fun, fun, fun to try!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for saying YOU think it’s hard to photograph bubbles. I quickly decided I was out of my element! 🙂 I did have fun blowing the bubbles and shall continue to do that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha! Love this one! Does your phone have a “burst” mode where lots and lots of pics are taken in quick succession? That might have been your best ‘shot’ at capturing those elusive things. LOVE the bubbleless hint of happening bubble pic!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It DOES! And do you know I never even thought to use that?
Thanks so much 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I could prolly do more with a trash prompt than I could with bubbles. Have done, actually. But A for effort, m’dear.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks 🙂
LikeLike
Blowing bubbles is fun, but even more fun when children do it and you can enjoy all their fun. 🙂 Thought of you twice from Friday-Sunday as each of those days we went around Indianapolis on our way and then home from Louisville, where our older daughter’s boyfriend did his first Ironman. Not a big fan of I-65!! But I did wave and send you good wishes. 🙂
janet
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw, thanks 🙂
LikeLike
Joey, you are hysterical! You are so funny! I’m still laughing as I write these words. LOL Thank YOU for giving me a laugh. I’ll remember this about bubbles IF I get the itch to blow them or try to photograph them. I give you an A+ for trying though!! 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Amy 🙂 I’m always glad to provide a laugh!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can let you borrow some landfill pictures for trash? I have loads I’ve taken for work.
And I HATE bubble solution. One of my mom peeviest pets is having to touch bubble wands and have that stuff on my fingers. It’s right up there with Play-Doh under my fingernails. **Shudders**
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really? That is fascinating. I don’t believe I’ve ever encountered that particular peeve before!
I used my kitchen scraps for the trash prompt. I hated that prompt. No one goes to IG for pictures of trash.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some prompts are best ignored. Like when my kids ask for Cheetos right after I’ve bathed them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL yeah.
LikeLike
Sounds like a fun day anyway. Maybe instead of the catnip bubbles noted above, you need citronella ones for the skeeters.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hah!
LikeLike
I tried to photograph bubbles. They did not turn out how I planned. We tried to have the puppy chase bubbles and capture those. They did not turn out how I planned. But I do love blowin’ some bubbles. I like the photo that you ending up choosing as well. Made me feel reminiscent of bubble blowin’ days. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m kinda glad to know even the great Amy struggled with bubble photos going as planned. Helpful 🙂
Joanne said she’s going to use her bubble gun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! Another kindred bubble spirit! …but it never even occurred to me to try and photograph them! Now I’m curious and want to try.
… but to be fair, I have to admit I have a bubble gun which might put me at an unfair advantage. Hmmm … maybe a side project for tomorrow 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wouldn’t say a bubble gun is unfair, more, helpful.
A great bubble adventure may include bubble guns for photos and blowing bubbles the old fashioned way for relaxation. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been in love with bubbles ever since Glinda the Good Witch floated down to Oz in one. I love bubbles so much, I’ve gotten dizzy from blowing them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw, sweet enthusiasm! 😛
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Pltha, Pltha, Pltha!” LOLOLOL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
Ha, ha, ha. I love bubbles, blowing and photographing them, particularly frozen bubbles. Beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful! My hat’s off to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You should see BG try to blow bubbles. She just spits on the wand and gets so pissed off when she doesn’t get bubbles. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hehe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I liked that your bubble pictures where including leaves! I liked the one where there are two bubbles, one landing in grass and one really pretty, iridescent rainbows showing! 🌈
LikeLiked by 1 person