In todays photography experiment we are playing with “magic milk” or other times referred to as “marble milk”! It’s basically milk, food dye and dish soap but photographers edition.
While scrolling through TikTok one evening (when I should have been sleeping or trying to sleep) I came across a video by @juzmorgan and it featured creating patterns with milk and food dye. I was intrigued at the idea and searched up “milk and food dye” and ‘magic milk/marble milk’ popped up.
I thought what a fun photography experiment to try if you’re stuck at home, you’re not inspired to go outside, or you just want to try something new and fun!
Supplies
For this ‘magic milk/marble milk’ experiment you will need:
Container/plate/bowl
Milk
Food dye
Dish soap
Que tips
Tripod
Camera
From what I’ve heard the dish soap reacts to the fat in the milk so I purchased different kinds of milk - 1%, 2% and Heavy Cream (33%). I figured with the different fat content in the milk it might yield different results.
Magic Milk/Marble Milk Process
Step 1: Pour a thin layer of milk onto your container/plate/bowl.
Step 2: Add food dye
Step 3: Grab your que tip, dip it into some dish soap and dap it where you’ve placed your dye.
For this experiment I am using my Olympus EM1 Mark II with the M.Zuiko 12-40mm F2.8 PRO lens. I am also using my Manfrotto tripod and my Neewer Softboxes.
First Attempt - 1% Milk
My first attempt was with 1% milk. I laid my milk down on the plate and dropped a mixture of food dye - red, green and yellow. They swirled together and created this beautiful mosaic of color and pattern.
Second Attempt - 2% Milk
My second attempt was with 2% milk. I started with just the red food dye then added the yellow, then the green. I was able to create some really unique patterns.
Third Attempt - Heavy Cream (33%)
My last attempt was with my Heavy Cream (33%). The heavy cream was quite a bit thicker than the 1% or 2% milk and when I went to dip the soap in the food dye drops it created these snowflake looking patterns. I played around with the food dye snowflakes, then started swirling the mixture, and adding my additional dyes.
Mix of 2% Milk and Heavy Cream
I also thought I’d try doing a mix of 2% milk and heavy cream. The mixture again yielded some different results. I loved the bubbles and the patterns that formed in this one .
Final Thoughts
After cleaning up my mess here are my final thoughts from this Create with Me experiment.
Definitely experiment - play with the mixture of food dye, swirling the dye, mixing the milk, letting it sit, etc.,
Have paper towel handy - I ended up spilling a plate of milk so have lots of paper towel/cloth ready.
Do this in your kitchen/have a bucket handy
2% Milk and Heavy Cream was my favourite
Happy Photographing!
Beautifully Wander | Robynne Ikesaka