I would like to do a shot of a model in a bathtub full of milk. I like the look of milk, but obviously can't afford (and don't want to waste) milk to fill a tub. Would appreciate any ideas of a good substitution to simulate milk and not hurt plumbing. Much thanks.

You could always use powdered milk. This would be the most environmentally friendly method.
If you are on city not septic, maybe a dilute water/white paint mix. Just make sure it is water based paint. Check the ingredients to make sure you aren't going to send something nasty down the drain.

Make sure it's safe for your model's "plumbing" too...

Thanks for the ideas. The water-based paint idea sounded good until the model's plumbing was considered. Might just end up using a different color and use food coloring. Thanks again.

Water and corn starch?

Water and corn starch makes this weird gluey substance that runs like a liquid, but is powdery when you squeeze it. Go ahead and try it sometime, it's actually pretty cool.

Leibovitz Much?

No it's cool. Use 2% watered down, looks like the real thing.

You dont need to use all milk to pull it off, 2 gallons + tap water might do the trick. You can experiment with ratios at home. Water turn white very quickly.

There are milk (not real) salt solutions that aromatherapy users pour into their tubs that can look pretty milky. Google it and youll get plenty of results.

Milk...it does a body good.

You should have the model pay YOU for the complete "milk bath" spa therapy session.

Have a massage therapist come to the studio, give a nice massage, then a soak in the bath of milk..."great for the skin" and....POP...you got your shot.

Haldor wrote:
You dont need to use all milk to pull it off, 2 gallons + tap water might do the trick. You can experiment with ratios at home. Water turn white very quickly.

This.

I cook corn on the cob in a ~3 gallon pot. I put ~2 gallons of water in the pot and add a "splash" of milk + tablespoon confectioners' sugar. Boil 10 minutes (which takes a while to start because of the cold milk and sugar raises water's boiling point) and butter to liking. YUMMMM

Anyway... my roommates freak out because they think I use 2 gallons of milk to cook the corn. Milk clouds water up very nicely. I don't know if you have one close by, but ALDI here has 1 gallon milk for $1.49 ea. It wouldnt cost much even if you needed 6 gallons or so.

Only issue I can see is that your model would probably appreciate using hot water + already warmed milk.

Mike40sw wrote:
Thanks for the ideas. The water-based paint idea sounded good until the model's plumbing was considered. Might just end up using a different color and use food coloring. Thanks again.


I'm not sure, but I think if a model spends too much time in a pool of water colored with food coloring that the model might end up being a little colored when she comes out....may not be real happy with you unless you use green and she had already planned to be a martian for the company halloween party the following day....

The problem here is reducing volume of the liquid. Consider this solution:

Put a sheet of thin plastic painters drop cloth in the tub. Insert model. Fill the sides between the tub and plastic sheet with styrofoam "peanuts" or similar material to reduce the volume of liquid needed then tape the edges of the plastic to the tub an inch or so below your desired water line. That will reduce the volume needed for whatever liquid you decide to use.

If it is just a H&S pose you could also tape the plastic to the body of the model like the wet-skirt of a kayak to keep her nether-regions dry. Attach the plastic sheet to her like a skirt, plop her in the tub, fill in around her with peanuts, pillows, ping-pong balls, etc. then tape the edges of the plastic sheet to the tub a few inches below the desired level in the tub, then fill on top. If you were to also use a tub shaped sheet of white foam core or other opaque white material (with cut out for the model) a and place it just below the surface of the liquid you'd be able to get by with even less liquid.

Chuck

jdl1527 wrote:
Water and corn starch makes this weird gluey substance that runs like a liquid, but is powdery when you squeeze it. Go ahead and try it sometime, it's actually pretty cool.

And you can run on top of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2XQ97XHjVw

When I did magic and needed some milk for a prop I used something called Super OOM:

http://www.shopcomparecostumes.com/product/10/8906/Super-Oom.html

Not sure what is in it and whether it could pose a problem for skin exposure, but given that it is mostly used by kids magicians I would guess it is non-toxic. Check with your local magic shop (if you have one in your area).

--Mark

Well to totally throw things in a spin, I was at church yesterday and the pastor told a joke and it involved milk so I thought I'd share it with you.

He was talking about when Yakov Smirnoff first came to America he thought it was such a great country. The first time he went to the grocery store and was walking up and down the aisles and he saw Powdered Milk. How great, you just add water and you get milk. Next time he was in the grocery store, he was walking up and down the aisles and he saw Powdered Orange Juice. Great, you just add water and you get Orange Juice. But the third time he was at the grocery story really impressed him. He was walking up and down the aisles and saw Baby Powder.

He was impressed.

I would just try a few gallons of milk in a tub before sticking a model in diluted paint or food coloring or ping pong balls. Sometimes the most logical way is the easiest way...

Milk is under $2 because there's no demand. Do the farmers a favor and use the real thing! I can't imagine trying to explain to my insurance guy or the judge how my home-made milk caused the plumbing infection that led to a "damaged for life" complaint.

(Of Note: Milk is under $2 because it's heavily subsidized and biologically engineered in the states)

you should also have some cereal handy!!!!! sounds like a party!!!!

we used milk. it is cheap against other parts of shooting. When you will ask model for 30$ more would she complain?