| How to make smoke photography: An | | | | of fabric will suffice. And then the most important tool |
| often-overlooked photographic technique is called | | | | for your smoke photography is the smoke itself. |
| "smoke photography". The technique is rather simple, | | | | Generally the best source of smoke is a stick of |
| but combined with other techniques can lead to a very | | | | incense, as the stream is steady, uninterrupted, and |
| artistic touch. Camera, lighting, and personal style are | | | | doesn't quickly extinguish (like a match would). Some |
| the largest factors influencing the outcome of the | | | | types of incense produce thicker smoke; you can |
| smoke photography. Depending on camera capabilities, | | | | experiment with various brands to reach your desired |
| light settings must be altered to produce the proper or | | | | effect. Always remember to use a dish or a base |
| desired outcome. | | | | underneath your incense, as it will produce embers and |
| First what you will need to create is a "lightbox". This is | | | | ashes that can damage carpeting or potentially be |
| quite simply an empty shoebox with any number of | | | | hazardous. You are all ready to go, just adjust your |
| CFL lights attached to it. Around 90-140 watts of | | | | camera's settings at take as many pictures as you like. |
| lighting will provide ample lighting for the smoke effects, | | | | Create photographs like this. |
| so that a flash is not needed. Place this lightbox at an | | | | Note: For artistic effect, you may want to manipulate |
| angle of 90 degrees to the camera. Next you will need | | | | the incense smoke. The best smoke photography |
| a dark background for your photo. You may have | | | | contains very unusual patterns of smoke, and not a |
| seen pictures with light backgrounds; this is done | | | | smooth, steady, uninterrupted stream. For smoke |
| digitally after the photograph is taken. It is important to | | | | manipulation you might try introducing turbulence by |
| make sure that none of the light from the lightbox falls | | | | whisking the smoke with a fork or spoon, or by |
| onto to the background, otherwise the smoke effects | | | | placing a wire mesh over the top of the incense. |
| will be washed out. A piece of poster board or a piece | | | | Experiment and see! |