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“At that precise moment my objective shifted from developing a useful trigger mechanism to producing jaw-dropping art. The engineer had transformed into an artist.”
Joe Zanrè: The Art of Frozen Water Drops
Joe Zanrè‘s artistic journey is an extraordinary fusion of engineering and photography, culminating in his unique mastery of high-speed water drop photography.
Having traveled extensively during his engineering career, Joe had amassed a large collection of photographs from places all over the world, nurturing a deep appreciation for location photography. Upon retiring however, this option was suddenly restricted and he embarked upon selecting a new genre for his photography. The turning point came when he stumbled upon a magazine article about high-speed photography, which showcased fascinating images such as popping balloons and breaking glass—events too fleeting for the human eye to witness. Intrigued, he purchased the device advertised for this purpose.
Disappointed with the equipment’s inability to capture a simple balloon pop without requiring it to be water-filled, Joe’s engineering instincts kicked in and he decided to design and build his own device, a solution that led to the development of his iconic Snaperture system. This innovation provided the timing accuracy required to capture images with millisecond precision, and the results were astonishing.
Joe Zanrè: A Flash of Inspiration
Joe’s engineering background continued to influence his artistic evolution, and he added a light sensor, motion detector, range-finder and intervalometer to the evolving Snaperture. The result was a system that not only captured images with pinpoint accuracy but also allowed for a broad range of creative possibilities.
Joe’s most profound breakthrough came when he added the functionality to capture splashing water drops. Using his self-designed system to control the release of the water drops, as well as the camera shutter’s timing, he captured stunning images that occur in nature, but are not visible to the naked eye. This meticulous timing and control allowed him to capture moments of beauty in their purest form, bypassing the need for additives that alter the water’s viscosity and often compromise the quality of the images. His precise engineering resulted in stunning, full-bodied water drops, free from the limitations that often plague this art form. By controlling every aspect of the process, Joe transformed what was initially a technical exercise into a sophisticated art form, producing images that captured the ethereal beauty of water drops in ways that had never been seen before. These water drops, frozen in time, exude a sense of uniqueness in every photograph, turning what is usually a fleeting event into a lasting visual masterpiece. Joe’s initial success with water drop photography fueled his passion for this art form, and it wasn’t long before his work evolved from a technical experiment to creating stunning pieces of art that are displayed in homes and galleries alike.
Not surprisingly, Joe experimented with colliding water drops and, once again, the results were astounding. Far from the geometrical, textureless shapes that this discipline usually produces, which bring to mind computer-generated graphics, Snaperture captures amazing, pin-sharp details, as seen here.
Mastering the Art of Water Drop Photography
One of Joe’s most notable innovations is the use of water drops as miniature lenses. When a spherical drop separates from a water column, it acts as a perfect lens, offering an astonishingly clear and focused view of the background scene. Because Snaperture allows for millisecond timing, Joe can capture the instant when the separated water drop has a spherical shape. This allows him to create mesmerizing images where the subject is seen through a drop of water, as if through a finely polished glass lens. It is an art form that combines the spontaneity of nature with the control of human invention, leading to images that are both scientifically fascinating and aesthetically captivating.
While Joe’s artistic style is grounded in water drop photography, it is the diversity within this niche that sets his work apart. The core of his art lies in capturing single drops, colliding drops, and refracted images through water drops, each genre offering a unique interpretation of the same natural phenomenon. His technical expertise enables him to explore the whole spectrum of water droplets, producing images that are rich in texture and detail, a testament to the precision of his timing and lighting techniques.
Joe’s work is also deeply rooted in his engineer’s desire to simplify the complex. By developing a compact system that occupies a corner of his home studio, he avoids the need for the large, wet-lab setups traditionally associated with high-speed water photography. His method minimizes equipment and maximizes creativity, giving him the freedom to explore new artistic possibilities without being bogged down by cumbersome apparatus. This innovation allows him to continue pushing the boundaries of water drop photography, keeping his work fresh and full of discovery.
Joe Zanrè: From Engineer to Artist
At the heart of Joe’s work is one particular image that holds profound significance for him: Striations. This photograph, featured at the head of this article, occurred during the early development of his Snaperture device. As Joe recounts, the image was captured during the routine testing of a prototype water drop dispenser. The target bowl of water was placed atop a folded bath towel, in case of spillages, or worse, and illuminated by a desk lamp equipped with a compact fluorescent bulb. The serendipitous combination of lighting, exposure settings, and the use of a glass water bowl revealed an intricate interplay of textures, including the light striations that inspired the photograph’s name. The towel unexpectedly became a key feature of the image, adding texture, depth, and dimension to the cap of the water drop. The remainder of the sphere has a surface mirror effect that never fails to intrigue the viewer.
Strations holds a special place in Joe’s heart, not only because it was the first successful capture with his new system but also because it validated his entire artistic approach. The image encapsulated the potential of his water drop photography, revealing a level of detail and beauty that he had only dreamed of achieving. This success solidified his transformation from an engineer focused on technical precision to an artist driven by creative expression. The piece remains a testament to his journey and serves as a constant reminder of the magic that can emerge when art and technology converge.
Joe has experimented with various media to present his work, eventually settling on glossy acrylic glass with an aluminum composite backing. This choice not only enhances the vivid colors and intricate details of his photographs but also provides a durable, long-lasting mounting that complements the timeless quality of his images. His work serves not only as exquisite décor but also as a conversation piece that invites repeated admiration. The soothing quality of water, combined with the striking visuals, ensures that Joe’s art has an enduring appeal, transforming any space with its mesmerizing beauty. Joe’s artistic evolution continues as he uncovers new ways to push the boundaries of water drop photography, always guided by the passion and curiosity that sparked his initial inspiration.
The image below demonstrates the capabilities of Snaperture, which is limited only by the imagination of the user. In the water drop we clearly see the refracted image of the Scottish flag (Saltire), the symbol of Joe’s country of birth, and the water column displays a stunning, abstract, symmetrical version of it, which again is due to the magic ingredient – serendipity.
