Fire session
Long exposure fire session on a dutch beach with Zvezdina (Model Mayhem #: 4269747).
20180531 776
Long exposure fire session on a dutch beach with Zvezdina (Model Mayhem #: 4269747).
20180531 776
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20180531 776
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Jun, 2018Views
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Awards
Honorable Mention in Catch Circles Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Shades Of Orange Photo Contest 2021
People's Choice in People Iit from behind Photo Challenge
People's Choice in FIRE Photo Challenge
Winner in A Photographer's Photograph Photo Challenge
Winner in Dancers! Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Outstanding Creativity
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
Virtuoso
Genius
All Star
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 20 rank week 1
Top 20 rank
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken at the beach in The Hague, The Netherlands on a calm evening. After high tide, some salt water was left in a puddle, creating the perfect mirror.Time
We went to the beach just before sunset and prepared everything. Once the sun was gone, we started shooting. I like to have just a bit of the sky in the background, but since the control of the fire's brightness is limited, it is difficult to balance the light and we had to get it done while there was just the right amount of sunlight left. A few minutes later, the background was black.Lighting
Apart from the last bit of sunlight in the background, the only light source is the fire. I used an oil-soaked Kevlar rope, attached to two aluminium rods. Here, the fire was exclusively behind the model, resulting in her black silhouette. The exposure was triggered remotely, here it was 3 seconds, during which the model has to stand absolutely still.Equipment
This shot was taken with a Nikon D800 with a 24-70 mm lens on a tripod, attached to a radio trigger. The fire was the only light source (apart from what's left of the sunset). For this shoot I also needed oil, a Kevlar rope, aluminium rods, lighter, gloves, black clothing, etc.Inspiration
I like to capture the unreal, the unexpected. The long exposure results in an image that the eye cannot see as such. Creating shapes and figures with fire is a fantastic art. Further inspiration came from Barry Elder (Van Elder Photography) and Benjamin von Wong.Editing
I usually shoot RAW to allow for corrections. In Adobe Camera Raw I somewhat increased overall exposure, contrast and shadows of the image.In my camera bag
I shoot in the studio, on the beach and underwater, what I pack depends therefore a lot on the kind of shoot. My preferred camera is a Nikon D800 with three lenses (85, 24-70, 70-200 mm), triggers, batteries, blank model releases, cables. I often work with flashes (Godox QT600 and TT600, Jinbei HD600, Yongnuo 560III). Here, I also needed oil, a Kevlar rope, aluminium rods, lighter, gloves, etc.Feedback
To begin with, play it safe! Make sure there's nothing flammable around. If you shoot with a model, make sure the clothing is not flammable and be careful with long hair too. Have water and / or an extinguisher around. A wet towel helps too. Find a model that can hold still (you'd be surprised how difficult that can be), Zu Ivanova (Model Mayhem #: 4269747) did a great job. It'll be easier for the model if she/he can sit. Get a good and reliable radio trigger for bulb exposure. The person holding the fire should be wearing black, including a black face mask and black gloves. Use a tripod. Good starting settings for this shoot are RAW, ISO 100, f/13, bulb, but it all depends on the brightness of the fire, the exposure duration and the ambient light. The focus must be fixed, I like the "back-button" option. Ask your model to hold a light, focus and fix the focus. Your model should then stay on the same spot, it may be a good idea to put a marker down. It's also a good idea to repeat the focusing every now and then. From here on it is (safe) playing and experimenting. Change the pose, change the exposure duration (shorter makes life easier), change the position and movement of the fire. Regularly check focus and exposure. Have fun!
