The word “Schlieren” is German, and translates roughly to “streaks”. What is streaky photography, and why might you want to use it in a project? And where did this funny term come ...

Save guides, add subjects and pick up where you left off with your BBC account. When a wave or light ray moves from one medium to another its speed changes. The direction of the ray may also change.

Schlieren photography is similar to the shadowgraph technique and relies on the fact that light rays are bent whenever they encounter changes in density or fluid. “Schlieren systems are used to ...