How Do You Capture Steam?

[Keyona]

I have a point and shoot with some adjustability to the settings and what I wanted to know is if there are any tips or tricks to capturing steam (either with lighting or settings)?

I'd like to be able to take a close-up picture of someone drinking from a cup with steam swirling up, but I didn't know if there was any way to show them and the steam. If not, is there a trick to just showing the steam rising from a hot beverage?

Thank you!

[RecurrentNerve]

The real trick is to make sure it's lit properly, coming in from behind and at an angle. A torch should do. If you want to freeze the steam in position you need a fast shutter speed. You haven't mentioned what your aperture settings are but I imagine they are either relatively open or relatively closed.

If you want the steam to be in focus but the background blurred, choose the open setting. If you are getting a bit of motion blur or camera shake, bump up the ISO which will allow a higher shutter speed.

[Keyona]

Thank you, so much, I will try your suggestions and make sure to have a lot of light! I have used a fast shutter speed, but I haven't played around with aperture. Thanks again!