Fade-In and Fade-Out of a Four-Part Pattern

Photo date: August 14, 2021. Photographer: Mark Mahin.   

I took the photos below while photographing only ordinary drops of pure, clean water falling in front of a black featureless background.  We see the gradual appearance of a four-part pattern. After reaching its climax, the pattern then gradually disappears. 

First we see only one pattern element. 

Now we see two pattern elements, one on the left side and the other on the right side. 

Now we see an additional pattern element: a circular hole in the bottom middle. 

Now we see a fourth pattern element: a circle on the bottom top.

Now the latest pattern element (on the top) disappears, the pattern element on the left side diminishes, and we also see signs of the pattern element on the right fading out. 

Now the bottom pattern element starts to fade away. 

Now all we have left is the first pattern element that appeared, the pattern element on the right; and that pattern element is fading away. 

It is only in the past few days in which I have started to notice this kind of pattern fadeout effect. Other examples can be seen here.