Symbolizing Water

[MontegoblueE92]

So my girlfriend is taking a photography class where the emphasis for most of the semester is going to be symbolism. The topic for the first project is water. The photograph cannot contain water, but has to be something that would remind you of it. I'm trying to help her come up with ideas but we're having no luck finding things to photograph. I've suggested dried up riverbeds, a cave (stalactites and such), and even an old time hand pump from a spring.

She's got the idea to line up blue fabric so that it looks like waves. In my mind, this wouldn't really capture the essence of photography. It would be making something look like water to take a photo of. I think there's no creativity behind that, but maybe I'm not seeing the big picture.

I figured you guys are much more photography-minded than either of us and would be able to come up with something creative. So if you could either post a picture, or just state an idea of something that symbolizes water, it would be greatly appreciated.

And before anyone asks, her photos must be printed, so plagiarism is not the basis behind this thread.

Thanks guys.

[BMW F22]

Take pictures of a sprinkler (off of course) and some dry grass next to it. She could also take pictures of water bottles without water in it. Faucets are good too and maybe even ice cubes because even though it's made from water, it's another form or water so in essence it's not really water.

[Bimmer Nerd]

Originally Posted by BMW E90

Take pictures of a sprinkler (off of course) and some dry grass next to it. She could also take pictures of water bottles without water in it. Faucets are good too and maybe even ice cubes because even though it's made from water, it's another form or water so in essence it's not really water.

well said

[herrherrlich]

You said symbolize water, not just reference its existence. The first thought that came to my mind was Bruce Lee talking about his fighting style being like water. Found this quote: ""Be formless... shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle; it becomes the bottle. You put it into a teapot; it becomes the teapot. Water can flow, or it can crash. Be water, my friend..."

So, perhaps take some shots of martial artists practicing Jeet Kune Do or something of that nature?

[khaye1]

how bout moving cars taken from a bridge over looking a freeway at night...slow down the shutter speed so you get that blurred, flowy effect just like running water

[jpsum]

Skittles, taste the rainbow.

Remember the scene when it was raining skittles?

You could recreate and capture the scene from the commercial. The colorful skittles could actually make a pretty shot.

[samwoo2go]

Originally Posted by khaye1

how bout moving cars taken from a bridge over looking a freeway at night...slow down the shutter speed so you get that blurred, flowy effect just like running water

+1 on this, I always thought long exposure moving night light shots looked like springs

[cagenicolas121]

i think you should show something that is very natural like rain water in the night and a river with boat. it will really look natural

[jpsum]

Originally Posted by cagenicolas121

i think you should show something that is very natural like rain water in the night and a river with boat. it will really look natural

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by khaye1

how bout moving cars taken from a bridge over looking a freeway at night...slow down the shutter speed so you get that blurred, flowy effect just like running water

Actually traffic flows very much like water. Same principles. Great idea.

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by herrherrlich

You said symbolize water, not just reference its existence.

exactly...

i think what she said with the fabric was a good idea, at least maybe more symbolic than a dried up river bed.

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Actually traffic flows very much like water. Same principles. Great idea.

hahaha, I drove back from Wrigley to Madison today and the traffic was flowing more like dried CONCRETE.

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by herrherrlich

You said symbolize water, not just reference its existence.

What's the difference? Isn't the latter true if the former is proven?

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by BMW E90

What's the difference? Isn't the latter true if the former is proven?

i think symbolizing it means you don't actual come out and say it. An empty water bottle says "WATER". Flowing chocolate doesn't say water, but its something that acts like water and by taking on some of waters characteristics, its symbolical and subtle... not over the top like showing things related to water would be.

[darkphantom]

I guess a late response, but if you have something flowy...like a cloth flowing in the air...or some scarf...maybe?



or

[smellfish]

Dry ice vapor spilling out of a container

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by smellfish

Dry ice vapor spilling out of a container

see i think something like that is WAY to literal for what he is talking about. The point is to show water without actually showing anything that is or is directly related to water.

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by UdubBadger

i think symbolizing it means you don't actual come out and say it. An empty water bottle says "WATER". Flowing chocolate doesn't say water, but its something that acts like water and by taking on some of waters characteristics, its symbolical and subtle... not over the top like showing things related to water would be.

Yeah I see what you're saying. IMO, however, it's a blurry line between the two. I mean how would you even symbolize water? I mean unless it's an abstract thing, everything else is just water in another form (vapor, clouds, etc.).

EDIT: OP, perhaps your gf can use a watering can and instead of water, you can pour skittles, M&M's, or any other candy you see fit.