New Years Champagne Sparkler

[Frank Schmidt]

Dangerous !

You can do this but if you do, don't let other adults see what you're doing in the house or in your studio. The smoke is really quite alarming !

The trick is light the candles first. Blow them out after 5 seconds, then brush light with a spot-light on the rest of the scene.

Then step in front of the camera and light the sparkler. This is all in the dark, get it?

As soon as the sparkler ignites (it's way bright) step aside and hit the remote to close the shutter.

This is 77 seconds shutter on a tripod , f/22 and ISO 125 with a 50mm lens. Not a big deal camera: Canon 60D.

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Now the trouble starts. The sparkler can't be put out easily. Grab it or it will break the champagne glass. Not with your fingers!! With a wet, very wet, wash cloth and drop it on the concrete floor . It will burn out and leave a whole lot of smoke in the room. The camera shutter is shut. If you don't have a concrete floor then do have a sink full of water to drop the burning sparkler in.

Best of luck to you!
If you have a better way, let me know...I'm always trying to learn.

[Frank Schmidt]

Don't use a good champagne glass. I've busted more than a few of them playing with fire.

[Barbara V]

A cool shot, but too bad the champagne didn't look a bit better.

[Frank Schmidt]

Thanks Barb,

It's not champagne, obviously the bottle is not open. It's Fresca. I just figured out how to do this 2 hours ago. I'll use Champagne or Alka Selsar on the next attempt. Then maybe real champagne in the future.

I've got a month until New Years. I'd love to see a better shot, show me yours so I can learn.

Frank