SMOKE PHOTOGRAPHY:

TIPS AND TECHNIQUES.

 
Smoke photography is not
as difficult as it seems in
fact there is no correct or
incorrect way of
photographing smoke .In
other words, there is no right
or wrong way to photograph
a smoke trail. So its
experimenting that will give
you that perfect picture, that
perfect angle and that
perfect lighting that you
aspire for. So here are a few
tips and techniques that
might help you to create
such pictures.
 
Camera setting:
Shutter Speed: Fast shutter
speed is recommended to
capture such images as the
smoke is constantly on
move, so to avoid any blur
movement, the settings
should be done accordingly.

Aperture: A small aperture is

recommended to get a
sharp and detailed smoke
trail for your picture.

ISO: Where there is very low

light, smoke will show up
grainy or noisy and a high
ISO will only add to this, so
try not to raise the ISO very
high (ISO between
500-1200 is recommended
depending on the camera) in
indoor shooting whereas
while shooting outside, ISO
can be adjusted according
to the light condition
prevailing.
 
Light: Use the flash at full
strength because with fast
shutter and low ISO, the
image quality may
deteriorate but while
shooting outdoor, no
external light shall be
needed and the settings can
be done manually.
How to photograph the
smoke the right way:
 
1. Get physically
comfortable. As we start
with the fun part, the
shooting. Make yourself
comfortable and focus on
the object you just lit up.
First 20-30 clicks  and a few
burned out source may dig
your confidence down but
keeping on learning from
every previous shot will
eventually lead you where
you aspire to be.  
 2. Get the smoke moving
around.  For really nice
curved smoke you need
smoke that moves around. A
little piece of cardboard can
help you whoosh little bits of
air towards the source like a
colour bomb and get the
smoke moving around.
Using source like incense
 stick , there is no need to
get the smoke moving
 around as the source flows
well with the atmosphere air
and gives you the smoky
look that you need.
 
3.Let the smoke take over
the background
Letting the smoke take over
the background will enhance
the impact of your picture.
This method is very impact
full while covering onstage
events as the object and its
actions are fluently
expressed. Using external
light under this situation is
recommendable as it
terminates noise prevents
picture blur.
4. Patience
Working on this technique
majorly calls for lots of
patience as the smoke from
the source needs attention
and takes time to fall in the
right position compatible
with the subject.
Observation is also an
important factor as it leads
to the decision of capturing
the frame when the amount
and intensity of the smoke is
right as needed considering
that the smoke buildup
creates a haze in the
pictures.
 
 
 To put it in a nutshell,
smoke photography apart
from being an activity based
on skill is also an
experimental effort based on
hit a trial to get that perfect
shot at the perfect timing.
Patiently wait for the smoke
to do its magic and engulf
the space while your fingers
are ready for the shot that
you desire. The possibilities
are many to play around with
this unconventional
photographic art form.