John Smith’s explosive photo interpretations of what light bulbs would look like while exploding and filled with various materials tells a story of that old incandescent bulb. These stunning photographs were taken using a standard rather low-budget high speed camera. This 28 year old artist from Indiana Jon Smith spent about two years taking unique snapshots of exploding light bulbs filled with everything from sprinkles to sand.
During the day Smith works as an analytical chemist and he began experimenting by capturing that special moment when objects explode. Willing to try just about anything that could break, he became attached to that explosive shot that only a sealed light bulb can create.
To get the shot, Smith simply sets up his props, his camera and shoots a pellet gun at the light bulb. The sound of the pellet gun triggers a flash that gives the bulb just enough light to get a good photo.