Unique and different. Love it!
Backdrop!
- Thread starter Mobjack Bay
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Beautiful! I would love to know where the backdrop came from?
i purchased the backdrops through Amazon. There are less expensive options, but I picked this set because it includes light and dark backgrounds, marble in addition to the wood, and the blue one above. I think I read here on the forum that someone has purchased backdrops at a craft store. My closest craft store is 45 minutes away, so I often end up ordering things through Amazon.
BEIYANG 5PCS 22x35 Inch 2 in 1 Photography Backdrops, Retro Vintage Marble Texture Waterproof Background Paper Tabletop Backdrop Food Jewelry Cosmetics Makeup Professional Photo Shoot
by BEIYANG-US
Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081SVNMY8/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_3XHJBC8H8K3Q551Z1GQX?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
When I think of an ITP swirl, it is as @Mobjack Bay described and I believe it is where the name originates. But actually any time different colors of soap are poured into one pitcher and then into a mold, that is an ITP swirl. What you are describing is layering colors on top of each other and pouring. A wall pour back and forth is a One Pot Wonder, back and forth not along the wall or held in one spot is a Clyde Slide, both forms of an ITP swirl. A clamshell, zig zag cosmic wave and many other techniques are technically an ITP swirl as well.
In addition to dibbles' excellent explanation, an ITP swirl doesn't actually require a stir-tool to be an ITP. It can be done with or without a swirl tool as indicated in the following descriptions of this technique:
From 2017: The Lazy Soap Maker's In-The-Pot Soap Swirl
From 2011: In-the-Pot Swirling (Cold Process) - Soap Queen
Searching SMF, the earliest mention I can find of an ITP is in 2007. But in 2018, Amy Warden called it a 'classic technique that has been around forever' when it was included in the December Soap Challenge Club. I believe she included it even before that a few years earlier and that the 2018 challenge was a repeat from an earlier challenge in 2014, and even that was a repeat from an even earlier challenge when she first started out hosting challenges in 2012. (Link)
The first person recognized as the creator of this technique appears to be Christy Rose as this post at SoapQueen seems to indicate: (Link)
From 2017: The Lazy Soap Maker's In-The-Pot Soap Swirl
From 2011: In-the-Pot Swirling (Cold Process) - Soap Queen
Searching SMF, the earliest mention I can find of an ITP is in 2007. But in 2018, Amy Warden called it a 'classic technique that has been around forever' when it was included in the December Soap Challenge Club. I believe she included it even before that a few years earlier and that the 2018 challenge was a repeat from an earlier challenge in 2014, and even that was a repeat from an even earlier challenge when she first started out hosting challenges in 2012. (Link)
The first person recognized as the creator of this technique appears to be Christy Rose as this post at SoapQueen seems to indicate: (Link)
I think it’s “in the pot”, as in an “in the pot” swirl. Look at me catching on to the lingo.
KimW
Well-Known Member
Would love to read that article! But, I have to say my Grandma and Great Aunts beat her to it in the early 1970s - which is where I "learned" it (observed as a child) - and I'm sure someone else beat them to it, or even showed them the technique. Isn't it funny how this is so often the case with soap designs/techniques?! It just makes learning the Challenge techniques all the more fascinating to me.
Earlier today I was reading older posts on the browsing soap photos thread and that is exactly what they were talking about. Apparently techniques pop up in various places around the globe and then may be popularized by something like a soap challenge.Would love to read that article! But, I have to say my Grandma and Great Aunts beat her to it in the early 1970s - which is where I "learned" it (observed as a child) - and I'm sure someone else beat them to it, or even showed them the technique. Isn't it funny how this is so often the case with soap designs/techniques?! It just makes learning the Challenge techniques all the more fascinating to me.
On another note, Christy used the word “discovered”, which may or may not have been intentional. I think of discovery as finding something that already exists and inventing as creating something that is new.
P.S. I think it’s really cool that you got to watch your grandma and great aunts making soap. My mom was a talented seamstress and I learned a lot by watching her.
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KimW
Well-Known Member
Oh yes, I agree on "discovering", though my reply sure didn't sound like it. Ugh! ETA: Sorry about that, btw!
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@Mobjack Bay What type of lighting do you use? My photo skills need some TLC. I’ve been relying on natural light (literally, I take my photos outside in direct sunlight) and need a setup indoors that rely on the more convenient and consistent artificial lighting.
I think I took the photo above in daylight. I have a lightbox with LED strip lighting and a separate ring light and I still struggle. I find it especially challenging to get the colors and white balance right. The answer is probably software. Mastering the art of soap photography is one reason I need to retire!
I ended up buying some inexpensive lights on Amazon. One thing I do is bring my exposure way down, then play with it in a photo editing program where I can adjust the pics to where I like them.
@Misschief thanks for posting the photo. Seeing the setup is super helpful.
Gosh that is REALLY pretty!!!!!
