“The Big Bang” shows the beauty of plexiglass stopping bullets

Photographer Deborah Bay has revealed a project called “The Big Bang”, consisting of macro photos of bullets “trying” to make their way through plexiglass.

When viewers first see “The Big Bang”, they think that the project depicts galaxies about to explode or deep sea fish, like the ferocious humpback anglerfish. However, it is actually an example of beautiful macro photography.

This is not a deep sea fish, nor an exploding galaxy. It is actually a 9mm bullet shot with a Glock pistol into a plexiglass. Credits: Deborah Bay. (Click to make larger).

Visiting a bullet-proof glass sale is sometimes enough to trigger an artist’s inspiration

Bullets and plexiglass are not common subjects for photographers, but Deborah Bay has been inspired to create her artwork during a bullet-proof glass demonstration. At the time, she did not think too much about it, but things changed soon after that.

The photographer had noticed that bullets that “crashed” into plexiglass created beautiful patterns caused by fragmentation. She says that projectiles stuck into the glass are “visual records” of the massive energy bursts deployed on collision.

It may look like the remnants of an exploding galaxy or like the Big Bang itself, but it is a macro shot of a .44 Magnum bullet sitting in plexiglass. Credits: Deborah Bay. (Click to make larger).

Photographer Deborah Bay makes it easier to forget about guns’ harmfulness

Bay’s “The Big Bang” is proof that destruction can be beautiful, too. Upon taking a closer look, it is easy to see the trajectory of the bullets. However, the project’s name speaks for itself and maybe there is a link between “exploding galaxies” and the energy released by bullets.

The photographer explains that it is inevitable to ignore the fact that bullets can cause a lot of damage, so a “psychological tension” will definitely emerge between this and the beauty of the shots. Despite this fact, it is pretty easy to get lost into the beauty of the photos.

No, still not a scary fish, not even a nebula where stars are forming. In fact, it has been caused by a Five-seveN bullet shot through plexiglass. Credits: Deborah Bay. (Click to make larger).

“The Big Bang” photos were captured after the bullets were shot

According to the artist, “The Big Bang” macro shots have been captured in a studio in the aftermath of professionals shooting the bullets through plexiglass.

Deborah added that she has developed an interest for projectiles, courtesy of the United States’ stance on firearms. Apparently, there are about 51 million guns in Texas alone and it is very unlikely that they are going away anytime soon.

It is worth noting that the photographer has not revealed her stance on gun control, which is a good thing as the project’s prettiness should not be overshadowed by ulterior motives.