Nature’s Quiet Fireworks.
George Rembert - Bursting Milkweed Pod
This image goes back to November 1980, a Canon A-1 35mm SLR and color print film. A dry milkweed pod was brought into the house and placed on a table covered with a piece of dark green wool. The camera was mounted on a tripod and two flash units were connected to fire simultaneously. The shutter was set to 1/60 sec (the standard flash sync speed) and the correct aperture determined using a flash light meter. It would be the flash duration, not the shutter that would stop the action. The focus was set. The seed pod was then opened, the pressure inside the pod quickly forcing the seed out and the room air currents moving the seed away. There was time for only one shot before the scene was a jumbled mess. Fortunately everything worked as planned to produce this image-with an added good shot of luck.