I thought it would be fun to try some "smoke photography" so I ordered some incense from Amazon and made a trip to a local thrift store to buy a teapot ($6.95). Then, using my black background I took separate images of the smoke and the teapot.... then selected the ones that I'd combine. I used two flashes for the pictures, but I didn't position/shield them very well so the background wasn't as dark as I would have liked. This was fixed using Camera Raw's contrast and adjustment brush. Since the background was black after I finished my edits and combining the images, I added a thin frame to the photograph.
Data: Both the teapot and smoke were taken with my 100mm macro lens with the camera in manual mode at 1/200 sec; f/9 and ISO 250.
This round’s discussion is now closed! 9 comments posted
Richard Siersma
Very nice Oliver, I want to try some table top photography; I'm glad you told us how you did this. A cup and saucer would be nice too. Posted: 05/05/2018 14:22:39
Oliver Morton
Thank you Paul. I like the idea of adding a cup and saucer. I was also thinking about another picture that has an old toaster (if I can find one in the thrift shop). I'd have some burnt toast in it at a level you can see and will add smoke above it. Should be fun.
BTW, someone told me that you can buy incense at Walmart for only $1 a bundle.
Posted: 05/05/2018 16:07:29
Barbara E Miller
I think the toaster idea is a winner, particularly if you get get the bread far enough out of the toaster to show the black burn and it would not need to be a old toaster, I can burn bread very well in mine if the setting is too high! Posted: 05/07/2018 19:21:44
Richard Siersma
Thanks for the tip on buying incense. Here is a link for some great table top photography.
https://500px.com/arken/galleriesPosted: 05/05/2018 20:46:17
Oliver Morton
Thank you! The photos were great... and gave me LOTS of ideas!
Posted: 05/07/2018 18:02:37
This is such fun playing with smoke and adding the coffee pot was a bonus.I think I might have lightened the smoke little to make it stand out Posted: 05/07/2018 16:00:20
Oliver Morton
Thank you, Barbara. I loved his "Smoke Ghost". Posted: 05/07/2018 18:03:24
I like the way you added the smoke against a black background. I would have added a base for the teapot to sit on. Posted: 05/20/2018 11:57:44
Oliver Morton
Thank you Nick. Richard also suggested a cup and saucer so maybe a lace "mat" with a cup on it would be perfect. Posted: 05/20/2018 13:11:52
