Eden Prairie’s Gretchen Haynes captures the delicate beauty of frozen bubbles, blending art and science in the winter cold.
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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!”

Photography, often associated with grand landscapes and exotic locations, holds a special charm when practiced close to home. This localized approach to photography not only offers convenience but also allows photographers to explore and capture the unique beauty of their immediate surroundings. 

Coming to you from Ian Worth, this inspiring video invites photographers to appreciate and explore the photographic potential of their local areas. Worth emphasizes that shooting locally is not a limitation, but an opportunity to discover unique and meaningful compositions. He counters the idea that familiar landscapes lack novelty, illustrating instead how a deeper understanding of one’s environment can lead to the discovery of new photographic subjects and themes that others might overlook. His approach encourages photographers to view their local environment with fresh eyes, seeking out hidden details and unique perspectives that often go unnoticed.

Worth further highlights the benefits of local photography through examples of his work. He demonstrates how understanding the nuances of one’s surroundings can lead to capturing extraordinary moments, like unique weather conditions or lighting. Worth’s approach underlines the importance of patience, observation, and revisiting locations to see them in different lights and seasons. This method fosters a deeper connection with the environment, which, in turn, enriches your work. His message resonates particularly with those who may feel constrained by their immediate surroundings, offering them a new lens through which to view their local area. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Worth. 

Wednesday’s (Jan. 17) snowstorm may have caused havoc on the streets and sidewalks, but it also made good fodder for those inspired by some of the more peaceful moments the chilly blanket created in White Rock.

Several brave souls ventured out into the wintry wonderland to take some eye-cataching photos, before the weather warmed and rained much of it away by Sunday (Jan. 21)).

READ ALSO: Schools and some businesses closed for a second day in Surrey

Environment Canada is forecasting more rain and well-above-freezing temperatures this week, with highs of 8 C to 11 C expected.

– with files from Tricia Weel

The Broomfield Photo Club will meet at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday in the Crawford Room at the Broomfield Community Center, 280 Spader Way. This month’s meeting, which will be both live and on Zoom, will feature a talk from Richelle Cross Force, who authored the book “Fred Payne Clatworthy: Colorado’s Color Photography Pioneer.” Fred Payne Clatworthy was a luminary in Colorado for his expertise as an autochrome photographer. The club meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month. To learn more about the club, visit its Facebook page at facebook.com/photoclubbroomfield or contact Carl Muehlemeyer at 303-469-0537 or broomfielphotoclub@gmail.com.