Create flames using light!

[mmatasic]

Powerful music waves


Camera: Canon EOS 1000D
Lens: 18-55mm kit lens
Exposure: 30 sec
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 20 mm
ISO Speed: 100

This was shot using a white LED bicycle light, with an orange cardboard taped to it. The seamless background was improvised out of some dark blue fabric - it turned out to be dark enough to seem like it's black. The exposure was set to 30 seconds and I started painting the flames with the light....

What settings did you use?
The settings are the ones stated under the photo... The important one is the exposure time, which has to be quite long - in this case 30 seconds. You should play with this variable to get the best results. The room you shoot this in should be dark, to allow the 30 sec exposure.

What gear (camera, lens etc) did you use?
Also stated under the photo. The camera should have the option of setting the exposure time manually.

Why did you compose the shot as you did?
I played with different compositions, and this is is the one i liked the best. The "flames" took just lots of experimentation.

What post production work have you done on the shot (if any)?
I just did some basic adjustments in Lightroom (black level, color correction, cropping...)

What were you hoping to achieve with the shot?
My idea was to make it look like there are flames coming out of the speaker. It took me 100+ shots to make the "flames" look just right. You need to be very patient to make this kind of a photo. The exposure times are very long, so are the camera processing ( and storing??) times. I guess it took around a minute to take just one shot!

What did you do well?/How could you have improved it?
I'd rather hear from others what did I do right or wrong...

If I forgot something, or you have any additional questions don't hesitate to ask!
Check out the other variations of these flames on my flickr account: mmatasic

[big jc]

I like it! Great concept, I think that it worked out well that the back ground went black. Next time maybe try two different colored lights. keep up the good work.

[JGennuso]

I think this is an amazing shot! Thanks for sharing!

[jiminyClickit]

mmatasic, Welcome

And thanks so much for using the guide for detailed explanation of how you did this terriific effect! It's rare that anyone notices it, much less use it. 100 shots? Great patience and determination. Well done.

[Lakitu]

Thanks for the great write up. I love the effect you got out of this.

[mmatasic]

Thanks all!

[vivala1210]

looks cool!`

[jon.pakarklis]

This looks great. You should try to do something simlar with an old TV or something.

[PKSon]

That's a GREAT shot! I should try something like that!!!! Thanks for the inspiration!

btw, what did the LED look like? Can you show us the setup? thanks!!

[Enrique2k]

Hi ,

i was wondering which mode u use to take this shoot ( quick or creative )

Camera: Canon EOS 1000D
Lens: 18-55mm kit lens
Exposure: 30 sec ( How You can specify the Exposure Time )
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 20 mm ( how you can specfiy the Focal Length )
ISO Speed: 100

thanks and regards,