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Iridescence on Ice

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When viewed at just the right angle, these bubbles trapped in the frozen surface of a pond demonstrated incredible aqua and magenta coloration via a phenomenon called iridescence. When light hits a bubble, part of it reflects off the front surface, while another part enters the bubble’s soapy film and reflects off the back surface. Depending on the viewing angle and the thickness of the bubble, different colors will be visible at different viewpoints due to the interactions between the reflected light. While I was photographing these bubbles, it was fascinating to experience this firsthand, and if I moved just a few inches to either side, the colorful iridescence captured here vanished entirely.

Copyright
Joey Priola
Image Size
1542x2000 / 3.2MB
Keywords
Contained in galleries
Adirondacks & Upstate NY
When viewed at just the right angle, these bubbles trapped in the frozen surface of a pond demonstrated incredible aqua and magenta coloration via a phenomenon called iridescence. When light hits a bubble, part of it reflects off the front surface, while another part enters the bubble’s soapy film and reflects off the back surface. Depending on the viewing angle and the thickness of the bubble, different colors will be visible at different viewpoints due to the interactions between the reflected light. While I was photographing these bubbles, it was fascinating to experience this firsthand, and if I moved just a few inches to either side, the colorful iridescence captured here vanished entirely.
Joey Priola Wilderness Photography