Marcus Reugels is an amazing photographer who takes high speed photographs of water in various forms, water dropping on a solid or liquid surface, drops of water colliding etc. and comes up with images that almost look like blown glass, only far more intricate. What is amazing is the fact that he is a completely self taught photographer who has not had any training in the art of photography. He devised the setups all by himself using a variety of components readily available off the shelf.

Apart from creating these high speed photographs, he enjoys capturing macros and images of his family. Marcus was good enough to talk to us about his passion for photography and share with us some of the techniques and devices he uses to create this stunning photography. "Capture" his interview below:


My Name is Markus Reugels, i´m 33 years old, father of 2 children, i live in a little Village near Schweinfurt (Germany) and Work in my day job as parquet layers.

All I know about Photography is self-taught. Initially I  read a lot in many Photography Communities to understand the Camera. Rest is learning by doing.



What got you started into photography? Why did you choose to specialize in water based high-speed photography?

I wanted to take good Pictures for the family album. But with the time it has grown to a lovely hobby. My favorite genre is the Macro Photography, especially the High-speed Photography, with which I can show the beautiful things we don´t consider in our life. Or we are not able to see them with our eyes.

The most interesting part of the High-Speed Photography is the fact, that you don´t see the Result until you shoot the Picture. Every time a Surprise.
















































Tell us in detail about the process that you use to create these high-speed photographs. Explain to us what variations in technique do you use to create different series like bubbles, double pillar, fountains,
crowns etc.

The Important thing is the Light. At first I set the light with the desired Colors and when this is done I start dropping. To set the Light perfect takes about 30min. And then I think about the Picture I want. With the Water drop I can make many many things.  Most techniques are not about the timing devices. But do not get me wrong. The technical helper makes no better pictures, it´s only the Key to bring the Picture from the Head to the Chip.

Now I will go a bit deeper into the techniques:

Bubbles

Are a bit Tricky to realize . You need a very large drop. This will form a bubble on the base and the spout shoots through the Bubble. When you have the right settings, you can hear the Bubble. It makes a loud “plop”.

Crowns
This is a very Basic shape. This can be done without any technical device. You need only one Drop falling down on a solid Surface or a water Surface.  When you place on the impact point some colors, this will give very colorful crowns.

Double Pillar

This is a new Form I found. I´m at the Beginning of this technique. But here are some words…

To create such Double Pillar picture is very hard. you need 3 valves for this. One in the Middle, this is for the collisions on top of the Pillar. Then you need two more for the spouts. One on the right and the other on the left side. The timing of both these valves must set exactly on one point. The two drops must fall in a little distance to each other. This will result in the pillars leaning towards each other. On the top of the meeting point i set another drop from the third valve for the collision.

XXL Splashes

Another Form I found last year. Normally the Pillar goes about 3-5 cm High. With a little hint, the pillar jumps over 20cm high. This has opened a whole new dimension in shapes. Now its easy to get 3 shapes on one Pillar. Or create Huge Parasols. But this technique is only possible with a timing device. You must set the Valve time very high. The First drop must be 2. So that the second drop fall into the crater that has the first created and make it deeper. This result is a jumping spout. The Time Range for the jumping spout is about 10ms, over and under the right time range it doesn’t work.



What are some of the gadgets that you use to create these stunning photographs? Please elaborate on them.

As timing device I use the GlimpseCatcher, it´s an Arduino based micro controller with 12 Outputs and an GUI to configure the times.

My Camera is a Sony @700 with a Minolta 100 RS 2.8 Macro lens. I only use the old Vivitar 285 Flashes, best choice for small money. But I must modify them to regulate the Power of the flashes lower than 1/16. The Flashes are triggered with the Yongnuo RF602 wireless trigger.











































What other artists do you look up to? If you could peek inside the studio/toolbox of any designer/artist/photographer, whose would it be and why?


In the Waterdrop photography I have no mentors anymore, at the beginning I had some good people who inspired me to Work on my Skills, but at the Moment. I don´t have any mentors.
I really like “John Hallmén” I think he is the best Macro Photographer . Most of his Pictures are stacking and taken under available light without flashes. He is really inspiring and gives all his knowledge to the Flickr Community .

Another great Artist is “Dmitry Ageev”, he makes really stunning Portraits with great expressions. I always want to start taking Portraits, but when I show sometimes a picture from me, it must me going in this direction.



Apart from photography, what other activities do you enjoy? What is your favorite pastime?

When I have some time, I love to play with my little Son, or built on my RC Car. This is another great Hobby. But since I make Photos I have not so much time for that.























Lets have a rapid fire round:

Are you a tea or coffee person?
I love Coffee

The one most favourite photograph that you have taken?
A Portrait of my Son

What camera/lens did you use for the macros?
Sony @ 700. Standard Macros I use the Minolta 100 2.8, but for stacking or other stuff I use old m42 lenses on a bellow. Like the Helios 50/2, Schneider Componon 50/2.8


Your favourite inspirational quote?
"Light can only exist in the Darkness!"

Favourite music genre?

Psychedelic Trance, Death Metal


What future projects are you working on? Do you plan to extend into other types of photography?

In the Future I will make more Portraits and Strobist work. But I will always make Macros. This is my Favorite Genre. The important thing for me, that the time with my camera brings me Fun and I can Relax.


What advice would you like to give to young, aspiring photographers?

Search always new things. Breaking the boundaries and sometime against the rules of photography. Go your way and not the mainstream!