shankars

Rising with the tip

Flames have a very fluid existence, rising from the bottom piercing through the darkness and lighting up the surroundings. ...
Read more

Flames have a very fluid existence, rising from the bottom piercing through the darkness and lighting up the surroundings.
Read less

PENTAX K-500

settings

Aperture f/4 ISO 800 Shutter 1/160 Focal Length 115/2

upload_date

Jan, 2021

Views

Likes

Awards

Hidden Gem Award

Spring 21 Award

Peer Award

Top Choice

Behind The Lens

Location

This was taken during a major power breakdown late in the evening in our locality in September 2020. The candle was placed on a window sill and a bit of the light breeze from the other side was making the flame flicker.

Time

The flickering flame of the red coloured candle and its reflection on the window glass just behind it was looking beautiful. It was 7.30pm on 1st September 2020, when everything around was completely dark except for this candle light.

Lighting

The dancing flame was trying to reach higher and higher with every lap of breeze reaching it. As the candle had become small and almost getting burnt out the intensity of light was also fluctuation. Capturing it was quite challenging but an exciting exercise.

Equipment

I had taken it with Asahi Pentax K500 camera; smc PENTAX-DA L 50-200mm F4-5.6 ED lens. I had not used any tripod and it was handheld. At ISO 800 I had an aperture of f4 and a Shutter Speed of 1/160

Inspiration

As a painter, I always had been attracted to subjects with dramatic light and shade. The unusual shape of the melted candle and the variation of the size of the flame was looking quite animated.

Editing

I do not do much of post-processing and mostly leave them as they are taken with my little knowledge of camera settings. A little contrast adjustment and a bit of trimming is the maximum I do as post -processing.

In my camera bag

I normally have my DSLR, Asahi Pentax K500 camera; smc PENTAX-DA L 50-200mm F4-5.6 ED lens along with smc PENTAX-DA L 18-55mm F 3.5-5.6. I also carry a mini table top tripod.

Feedback

The adjustments need to allow a shutter speed of 1/160 to the minimum as the moving flame will not be sharp if the shutter speed is below that. The ISO should also be high to allow low light photography but never too high; for beyond a point the image will look too noisy to one's liking.

See more amazing photos, follow shankars

shankars

shankars

Rising with the tip

Flames have a very fluid existence, rising from the bottom piercing through the darkness and lighting up the surroundings. ... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow shankars

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes. Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.

Flames have a very fluid existence, rising from the bottom piercing through the darkness and lighting up the surroundings. ...
Read more

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.