Why I chose drawing in the dirt with a stick over making bubbles with my spit...

[BernardLanguillier]

If only dirt could still be available in quickloads!

Cheers,
Bernard

[sgilbert]

As Doug always points out, whichever medium you choose, it's important that you have a reliable dealer. 

[eronald]

As Doug always points out, whichever medium you choose, it's important that you have a reliable dealer. 

That's true, reputation counts a lot when dishing out dirt.

Edmund

[Martin Ranger]

Having spent hours comparing both activities through practical tests, I can, without hesitation, state that images drawn in the dirt have far greater resolution and dynamic range than any work that can be created with spit bubbles. 

Sure, but the process of forming the spit bubbles slows me down and makes me think more about my art. On the other hand, "spray and pray" has just gotten a completely new meaning.

[araucaria]

Dirt is getting expensive, and most of the dirt flavours have ceased to exist. Soon there will be no dirt left. I love the dirt anyway.
Big Spit Bubbles are way to expensive.

[MichaelEzra]

Some of the questions that arise promptly:
1. Are there some fundamental limitations for the length of the stick and for the spitting distance?
2. Should another, more ethical, spitt-less and stick-less technique be considered to surpass such limitations?

[synn]

Truthfully though, I am leaning towards the newfangled spitless formats, these days.

[rpsphoto]

I find peeing in the snow yields the best results especially for high key abstracts. They can be a bit grainy depending on the type of snow.

[MichaelEzra]

I find peeing in the snow yields the best results especially for high key abstracts. They can be a bit grainy depending on the type of snow.

You might need to consider the archival properties of your medium.

[Don Libby]

The cost of good high quality dirt just went up shortly after this thread was made.  I tried to get an upgrade to the dirt I had but was surprised at the cost.  Going to begin researching cost factors for high quality spit material think those will go up as well.  Also tried to get a new stick but my dealer was sold out with no idea of when the new upgrades would actual ship. I'm thinking I might be forced to revert to sand and using my finger unless someone has a suggestion.

[BernardLanguillier]

I find peeing in the snow yields the best results especially for high key abstracts. They can be a bit grainy depending on the type of snow.

I am not sure I want to know that much more about the technique...

Cheers,
Bernars

[B-Ark]

I'm afraid I can't buy into either of these formats until they are fully supported by Lightroom.

[Ken Bennett]

You might need to consider the archival properties of your medium.

The ephemeral quality of the medium greatly increases the value of the artwork.

[Go Go]

Drawing in the dirt with a stick , of course!

That whole making bubbles with spit thing is a closed system!

Best LuLa thread ever!

[David Eichler]

I think both are overrated and insufficient for the needs of perfectionists such as myself.

[ced]

Even when dirt was available some prefer dipping their sticks in spit (more spit bigger bubbles) to give hot air balloon size bubbles.

[MrSmith]

i like to draw pics of cats and sunsets and occasionally my beautiful grandkids, i’m thinking of upgrading to a german made slow-grown hardwood stick that’s been hand turned by black forest dwelling artisans, i don't think the nordic pine sticks have that special something i see on 800x500 images on StikPix. it’s a big investment now i’m retired from my legal practice so i’m wondering if there are any other users out there who have made the jump? and if they have any regrets?

[JohnBrew]

A perpetually dry mouth has limited me to artisan sticks and colored sand.

[KAHA]

i’m thinking of upgrading to a german made slow-grown hardwood stick that’s been hand turned by black forest dwelling artisans, i don't think the nordic pine sticks have that special something i see on 800x500 images on StikPix. it’s a big investment now i’m retired from my legal practice so i’m wondering if there are any other users out there who have made the jump? and if they have any regrets?

I hear a certain german icon is carving out a new 'MFP' Mittelformat plank (nearly 3 times the size of a regular stick) 'MFP' planks are sustainably grown and sourced from the black forest in Baden-Württemberg. This select hand turned artisan lumber will be named the new 'Holz über alles' typ 009. After much Schwarzbier und pilsener physicists can now confirm that the neue Mittelformat combined with the impeccable image acuity of their optics one can actually view the finite particle matter within bubble clusters regardless of spit consistency or vesicle density. I believe an official announcement will be made at Oktoberfest München 2015    

[B-Ark]

How is the focal length of the stick determined - the longer the stick, the longer the focal length?
And what about aperture - do the normal rules of DOF apply?