Chat - monthly competition - December: 'Smoke photography'

[alexharrison101]

Like so: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=sm...C6qn0QXT04DoCQ

A style i've been interested in for a while...now, i have no external flash, so will be working with the onboard flash on my 1100D, so will be interesting to see what i can do, and i look forward to seeing results from people with more sophisticated equipment

no restrictions on PP - make it as arty as you like!

[kerbside]

Good topic for this time of year as the weather cannot be counted on for an outside theme.

Think the older members on here had a crack at this about a year ago so it will be good to see what we remembered.

This was my last attempt.dragon breathing fire The smoke was not manipulated and the eye was a pic of my cats eye.

[Sabrina_De_Winter]

I always wanted to try this, so this is the moment.
Thank you for this theme.

[DigiDiva]

HAHA I remember my effort - the post editing was so pants and (hopefully) I have come a lot further now. I managed without an off camera flash Sabrina so don't worry too much.

[Sabrina_De_Winter]

Originally Posted by DigiDiva

HAHA I remember my effort - the post editing was so pants and (hopefully) I have come a lot further now. I managed without an off camera flash Sabrina so don't worry too much.

I do have off camera flash, I think it is Alex that don't need to worry

[alexharrison101]

hmm....this is tricky(!). first attempt:


smoke 1 by alexharrison101, on Flickr

now, i had no black background, and didn't really know what i was doing, so please don't look too closely lol!!!

actually, has anyone got any tips for this topic...?

[DigiDiva]

Originally Posted by Sabrina_De_Winter

I do have off camera flash, I think it is Alex that don't need to worry

oops!! lol

[DigiDiva]

use the back of a spoon, held just above (almost touching) the top of the thing thats smoking (insence sticks are best). Move the spoon by tilting left to right, or by moving over the top of the burner and back , to create swirls and patterns. This prevents the longer, straighter smoke trail.

You need a fast shutter speed also. Colouring the smoke in photoshop after can work well too.

[wavemachine]

Oh yes, I hope I fine time to have another go!

Here is one of my attempts from last time:-

[JonnyM]

I did have a go at this some months ago using daylight as I didn't have a flashgun then. Although not perfect the photos had some charm and appeal. I will definitely have an attempt before Christmas for the competition.