projecting into a pool

[DJBob]

I was approached today by someone asking about projecting a laser image into the bottom of a pool. In the past they have used standard Leko lights w/ gobos from a truss about 25 ft high, but they were doing some creative thinking and the idea of using a laser image came up.

Has anyone done something like this before? Is there any beam reflection or does the water distort the beam? I'm uneasy about it but wanted to check around to see if it has been done before. (2W RGB)

[swamidog]

that will be hugely unsafe. the lasers will bounce off the surface of the water in unpredictable directions. plus, the lasers will be shining right into any swimmer's eyes.

that's pretty much an exercise for instant lawsuits.

I was approached today by someone asking about projecting a laser image into the bottom of a pool. In the past they have used standard Leko lights w/ gobos from a truss about 25 ft high, but they were doing some creative thinking and the idea of using a laser image came up.

Has anyone done something like this before? Is there any beam reflection or does the water distort the beam? I'm uneasy about it but wanted to check around to see if it has been done before. (2W RGB)

[Bradfo69]

If you're creative, most pools have at least 1 flood light mounted in the concete wall below the surface of the water and there may be a way to change the bulb from the pool deck. If there were space, perhaps in lieu of the floodlight bulb a small projector made just for that purpose could be mounted in there but, it's sort of a long shot. I know in my previous pool, I had to lower the water level and open it from the water side to change the bulb since it was right under the diving board. The lens from the floodlight could cause some scattering and mess up the image too. They're not always the cleanest or smooth. Probably more hassle than it's worth.

[colouredmirrorball]

I did something like that with my old 40 mW green projector. I believe it looked pretty nice but I never got into the water so I wouldn't know.
I guess it will depend on the amount of particles/dirt in the water. The dirtier the water the prettier it will be. And the more people in the water, the more stirring/air bubbles to reflect the beams.

Yes the water will reflect the beams into random directions. Yes there will be distortion of the image, depending on the angle and on how rough the surface is (which depends on how active the swimmers are).

I got the complaint from the safety guards that my colour mixer light (I had some other light effects besides the laser) was shining into their eyes, hindering their sight. You might want to observe where the lifeguard's post is and put the projector behind it so it is facing away from the lifeguard's eyes.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea to use 2 W and if you're in the US there's the legal part of it. I'll leave this part to other people :P

[DJBob]

that will be hugely unsafe. the lasers will bounce off the surface of the water in unpredictable directions. plus, the lasers will be shining right into any swimmer's eyes.

that's pretty much an exercise for instant lawsuits.

This is pretty much my thoughts also, but thought it was an interesting question.

Has this actually been done before, or is everything 'probably'. Just wondering if the theory has been proven.

The pool is unoccupied

[mixedgas]

Only way to do it is submerge a tube into the water, with a AR coated window. A underwater window on a olympic pool etc. A fiber underwater remote head or a submergence capable projector have been done. There is one commercial maker of underwater projectors, and if you have to ask, its probably out of your budget. Its messy. If you do try it, you have to aim MUCH lower then your target position.

No swimming while doing this, period.

Steve

[Bradfo69]

Wonder if you could experiment with a large aquarium and a lower powered source somehow.

[swamidog]

what about underwater LED strips like this:

https://illuminationsupply.com/pixel...ted-p-287.html

[dsli_jon]

Has this actually been done before, or is everything 'probably'. Just wondering if the theory has been proven.

Yes. Both in a swimming-pool and a lake - ie: this shot, in a remote-area of Canada, where there were no commercial flight-paths, and at 4am, where there were no planes, even-if..

....but swami nailed it.. Don't do it.. If it's outdoors, then you have to notify the FAA, since 2W will-reflect (albeit, 'lumia-like'.. but, 'hotspots' do and will-remain / reflect..) and a still water-surface is about the same as 'window-glass', ~9-10% reflective, so even (portions, thereof..) of 2W, into airspace, could (..*potentially*) glean you a 'free orange-jumpsuit' http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...ointer-Justice

..If it's indoors, then you have to worry about your audience / eyes, etc.. In, summary... swami nailed it..

I'd suggest going with a 'Blisslight' - either a 'Spright' http://www.blisslights.com/index.php...=83&Itemid=101 or a BL-50 - the 'beamlets' are eye-safe, especially diffused-further, reflecting off a pool, and I would highly-doubt there'd be much of 'anything left', bouncing into airspace, to worry the FAA-over - but 2W's? ya, no-go..

Not sure if this is 'p-shopped' or not, but.. it's a pretty-good representation of what they 'really' look like - http://www.blisslights.com/images/ph...20outdoors.jpg - the Bliss beamlets are *surprisingly* visible, for being such low-power.. they add an elegance / finesse to any event, since the 'starfield' is subtle, yet very-visible - not at ALL like an obnoxious 'disco-blinky light', from the Chi-co's.. the movement is really tranquil, and 'organic'... (..how can you tell we're a Dealer?..

They also make them in 405nm (..very-cool on 'white'.. ) and Blue 445, but.. my vote is the Green, for best-visibility, and you can always turn off the blue-LED 'cloud' if you don't like it / just want green..



..or do what Steve-suggested.. that could be very-cool..
Dos centavitos..
j

[DJBob]

Jon- thanks- that's the info I was looking for. BTW- I have a BL50 Bliss light. They are awesome.