Patriot: The Californian then started to use props such as an American flag hat (left) and sunglasses (right)

Experimenting: Mr Dickson (left) began to use colour and light to create unusual pictures

Bright: He used filters to tint the water with saturated colours (left) and in one images even made it look as thought the balloon was burst by a bicep (right)

Pedestal: Amateur photographer Mr Dickson's time consuming images were a labour of love

Self portrait: Once he mastered the art he began to experiment, even involving himself

Innovation: Mr Dickson's rig would shoot a sharpened rod through the black fabric, piercing the ballooon