Photographing Exploding Edibles

Isaac Skibinski writes "Remember gawking at photos of bullets going through apples (and the pretty fruit gibbage)? We've recently built an apparatus to capture similar results, using a BASIC controller stamp, a disposable camera flash, an air compressor, an electronic sprinkler valve and some pipe. Considering the cost of the device, it has allowed us to take suprisingly crisp photos of high-velocity objects."

Comments

Nail Gun

[DRUNK_BEAR]

They are using a nail gun in what seems to be a garage or a basement... I wonder if they ever considered what would happen if the shot would miss the carpet they put behind.. to put it in their own words, the bolt could "go across the room, bounce off of various objects, and become swiftly lodged into our soft brains".

For better security, I would suggest automating the whole process a bit further, get out of the room and see the results when done... but may be I'm just paranoid...

Ob. link to the Doc

[cmcguffin]

This kind of high-speed stroboscopic photography was pioneered by Harold "Doc" Edgerton. You've undoubtedly seen some of his images.

He was a MIT professor, prolific inventor, artist and by all acounts an incredibly nice person.

He's also responsible for one of my favorite quotes:

Work like hell
Tell everyone everything you know
Close a dread with a handshake
Have fun