Assignment #44: Fire

[Nikolai]

Now that we're don with the dusk of the twilight, time to shoot something a bit brighter. And what can be a brighter subject than a fire itself? (For the record, that was a rhetorical question:-).

This coming week we're going to shoot an open fire.
It can be your fireplace, a match, a bonfire, a candle, a gas range, an exhaust from the ICBM launch - you name it. However, to limit your imagination, let's stick to a fire on the ground or close to it. And in any case I mean a real, actual fire, oxigen-based good old fire, not aurora borealis or the supernova. Try to make that fire your primary subject, rather than having the fire as a purely light source. And to ensure that - no portraits, please.:deal

How you shoot it is up to you. It can be very short exposure, it can be a long one. The trick, as you can imagine, lies in the fact that a fire is a light source on its own.

As always in such cases, your safety and the safety of the environment must be your primary concern. You all know what happens to those whose play with the matches carelessly...:deal

Since flames are always a great subject for the post processing - let's have a field day with that, too. PS your heart out is you wish, but in such case please also provide your more or less unmangled "original". And limit yourself to 2-3 variations top. And they better be different each time.

With each shot/series please provide a basic EXIF info (links OK, but please save as all clicking and inline the ISO, aperture and shutter speed).

For the list of the prior assignments and general rules please check this sticky (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=41800).

Let's get us some fire!

[Antonio Correia]

... However, to limit your imagination, let's stick to a fire on the ground or close to it ...

Kikolai. Must it be a fire on the ground or close to it, or am I misunderstanding the sentence ?

Thank you. :thumb

[Nikolai]

Must it be a fire on the ground or close to it, or am I misunderstanding the sentence ?

Thank you. :thumb

Hmm, didn't I say just that? :scratch
I mean - no afterburn shots :wink

[emmalou]

Fire ban here for outside.:D Indoor it will have to be,........

[ShepsMom]

I might go and set my neighbor's house on fire. I'm wondering how that will come out? :dunno

[emmalou]

I might go and set my neighbor's house on fire. I'm wondering how that will come out? :dunno

Take the tripod!:dunno

[Stan]

I know it is old, I shot it for a challenge in Jan '05 but I always liked it and enjoyed shooting the flames. I lit lighter fluid (petrol) on a black granite work top giving the reflection.

http://www.stan.smugmug.com/photos/14997508-L-1.jpg

There was very little post processing

Exif: 1/1250 sec f/f.8 ISO 200 70mm

Cheers
Stan

[emmalou]

Well, I am officially a sandwich short of a picnic now...I actually lit the woodstove while the heat outside is 29C!:scratch
I see ghouls in this one.......:wow
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/emmaloudawg/F4.jpg

[Nikolai]

Well, I am officially a sandwich short of a picnic now...I actually lit the woodstove while the heat outside is 29C!:scratch
I see ghouls in this one.......:wow

Thank you, nice entry!:thumb

[Nikolai]

I know it is old, I shot it for a challenge in Jan '05 but I always liked it and enjoyed shooting the flames. I lit lighter fluid (petrol) on a black granite work top giving the reflection.


There was very little post processing

Exif: 1/1250 sec f/f.8 ISO 200 70mm

Cheers
Stan
Great idea! :thumb Too bad it doesn't count this time:-) :wink

[MarkR]

Well, I was playing with the sliders in my trial version of ACR and came up with this. It may not be art but it sure was fun ...

Exif: ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/50s, Taken July 14th, 1:14pm, Pentax K100D in RAW, post processing in ACR4.1 (trial version) to lower exposure considerably.

http://Hobbyist.smugmug.com/photos/172855480-L.jpg

[jennifer]

What a timely assignment! Does this count? Taken last night across the street from my house. Firefighters had it out within the hour though :bow

http://jenfavre.smugmug.com/photos/172702887-L.jpg
300D, 1/1250s, f/4.0, ISO 100, 165mm

[Nikolai]

Well, I was playing with the sliders in my trial version of ACR and came up with this. It may not be art but it sure was fun ...

Exif: ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/50s, Taken July 14th, 1:14pm, Pentax K100D in RAW, post processing in ACR4.1 (trial version) to lower exposure considerably.



Thank you, very nice entry! :thumb

The bevel up front is a bit distracting, but I like the reflection! :deal

[Nikolai]

What a timely assignment! Does this count? Taken last night across the street from my house. Firefighters had it out within the hour though :bow
300D, 1/1250s, f/4.0, ISO 100, 165mm
Of course it does, what are you talking about! :thumb
Hopefully, no great damage?

[Antonio Correia]

http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/172967396-M.jpg (http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/gallery/1587711#172967396-L-LB) http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/172966637-M.jpg (http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/gallery/1587711#172966637-L-LB)

[Nikolai]

did you say fire?
Yes, I did. :nod
I also said: fire should be primary subject. :deal
And I also said - no portraits. :wink

Sorry, man, this doesn't count. :dunno

[Antonio Correia]

http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/172966340-M.jpg (http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/gallery/1587711#172966340-L-LB) http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/172967021-M.jpg (http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/gallery/1587711#172967021-L-LB) http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/172970260-L.jpg (http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/gallery/1587711#172970260-L-LB)

[Antonio Correia]

Next time !
:D:thumb

[leaforte]

Fire is tough. This is my campfire last night on a hike in the Cascade Mountains.

http://tonymcguiness.smugmug.com/photos/172982356-L.jpg

[Nikolai]

Fire is tough. This is my campfire last night on a hike in the Cascade Mountains.

It sure is. In many case it requires a lot of planning and very careful execution. Sometimes, it even requires some extra light to help it.
Thank you for the entry!:thumb

[jennifer]

Of course it does, what are you talking about! :thumb
Hopefully, no great damage?

No damage whatsoever. Although, the charred hilltop may beg to differ. I knew living across the street from a fire house would eventually pay off :D

[Antonio Correia]

http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/173099852-M.jpg (http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/gallery/1587711#173099852-L-LB)

[Nikolai]

fire
Thank you:-)

[Llywellyn]

How timely! I was experimenting just yesterday and gave up in frustration after my first attempt to capture flames on my range. This assignment challenged menot to give up so quickly and try, try again. Thanks for pushing me. :D

ISO: 200
Aperture: f/22.0
Exposure: 20s (200/10)
Full EXIF (http://ciarrai.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=173238707)

Original:

http://ciarrai.smugmug.com/photos/173242001-M.jpg

After PP:

http://ciarrai.smugmug.com/photos/173238707-M.jpg

[Nikolai]

How timely! I was experimenting just yesterday and gave up in frustration after my first attempt to capture flames on my range. This assignment challenged menot to give up so quickly and try, try again. Thanks for pushing me. :D

Thanks for not giving up! :thumb
I think there is more to this image that you think there is is. :wink

Your AFTER version, for once, showcases a lot of negative space, which IMHO is a pure waste of bandwith. It also killed a very nice reflection right under the flames. :dunno

I think you should try again. Bracket the hell out of it, change an angle to emphasize those reflection, then blend in post. It's a fully controlled environment, you can do whatever you want. :deal

[Antonio Correia]

Thank you:-)

Please Nikolai, don't thank. :D
:thumb

[Antonio Correia]

Fill flash out of the camera !:Dhttp://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/173288138-L.jpg (http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/gallery/1587711#173288138-L-LB)

[Travis]

but kind of a spur of the moment capture. I was hungry!

http://owney.smugmug.com/photos/173325166-M.jpgEXIF ("http://owney.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=173325166)

[Llywellyn]

So, you're going to be paying my gas bill for this month, right Nikolai? :wink Several hours and at least 100 frames later, we have two versions from the reshoot (changing angle to attempt grabbing the best reflection).

Version 1
ISO: 200
Aperture: f/16
Exposure: 6s (60/10)
Full EXIF (http://ciarrai.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=173349482)

http://ciarrai.smugmug.com/photos/173349482-M.jpg

Version 2
ISO: 200
Aperture: f/22
Exposure: 20s (200/10)
Full EXIF (http://ciarrai.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=173349604)

http://ciarrai.smugmug.com/photos/173349604-M.jpg

Think I'm gonna go pass out from the fumes now... :rofl

[Nikolai]

Fill flash out of the camera !:D (http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/gallery/1587711#173288138-L-LB)
Nice, thanks! :thumb

[Nikolai]

but kind of a spur of the moment capture. I was hungry!

Thank you, nice flame! :thumb

[Felicia]

http://lvcaiques.smugmug.com/photos/174308258-M.jpg

[Nikolai]

fire
Thank you! :thumb

Your entry represents one of the major difficulties shooting the fire - it's very hard to capture during the day in the open..

[petelanglois]

http://www.petelanglois.net/photos/173297922-M.jpg

Hillsborough NH Balloon Festival July 14

Nikon D50 w/18-55mm DX Lens
f8|26mm|1/200|ISO200|

[Nikolai]

Hillsborough NH Balloon Festival July 14

Nikon D50 w/18-55mm DX Lens
f8|26mm|1/200|ISO200|

Great flame! Thank you! :thumb

[Felicia]

Thank you! :thumb

Your entry represents one of the major difficulties shooting the fire - it's very hard to capture during the day in the open..

Nikolai, how could I have captured the fire better? It was near sunset, and it was a fire in a beach fire pit. I saw my chance and snapped it. But, I'm not really sure if I could have captured the fire better. :dunno Advice? Critique with your keen technical eye?

[Nikolai]

Nikolai, how could I have captured the fire better? It was near sunset, and it was a fire in a beach fire pit. I saw my chance and snapped it. But, I'm not really sure if I could have captured the fire better. :dunno Advice? Critique with your keen technical eye?
Uhm, under the circumstances I doubt I, or anybody else, could.
I wasn't dissing your entry, I was pointing out the difficulties.
Setting sun is on par with typical bonfire flames, hence the fire tend to disappear...:dunno
The few things I can think of for this scenario are
a) set the shade for the sun
b) make sure the b/g is really dark (not light gray)
HTH

[keeny]

Hi .. i've been only reading through the forum all along .. my first post here i think .. this is direct off from my site .. as i don't've a non-copyright version at hand .. this was taken at a campfire ..

EXIF: Taken 01/07 | Exposure - 1/200 | Aperture f/5.0 | ISO 250


http://keeny.smugmug.com/photos/121680153-L.jpg

[Felicia]

Uhm, under the circumstances I doubt I, or anybody else, could.
I wasn't dissing your entry, I was pointing out the difficulties.
Setting sun is on par with typical bonfire flames, hence the fire tend to disappear...:dunno
The few things I can think of for this scenario are
a) set the shade for the sun
b) make sure the b/g is really dark (not light gray)
HTH

Thanks, Nikolai! I'm lapping up any critique like a starved puppy! :D

[Nikolai]

Hi .. i've been only reading through the forum all along .. my first post here i think .. this is direct off from my site .. as i don't've a non-copyright version at hand .. this was taken at a campfire ..

EXIF: Taken 01/07 | Exposure - 1/200 | Aperture f/5.0 | ISO 250


It's a nice shot, but it's also a major violation of the "freshness" rule, hence, alas, it does not count :dunno

[riz_sat]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y274/riz_sat/photo053.jpg

[Nikolai]

candle
Nice flame, thank you!:thumb
BTW, your next post (http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=598560&postcount=42) looks identical or nearly identical to your first one. Do you think you can remove it or replace with something more different yet still adequate? TIA

[riz_sat]

candle retake
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y274/riz_sat/Piccture039.jpg

[Nikolai]

candle retake

Nice candle... :-) :thumb
However...

Seems a bit OOF.
Too much (or not enough) negative space that really doesn't tell anything...

[riz_sat]

alright
what is OOF?

now here is another image i hope it does tell story :D
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y274/riz_sat/Piccture027.jpg

[jdryan3]

alright
what is OOF?



Out Of Focus

[Nikolai]

now here is another image i hope it does tell story :D

I like it much better, thanks! :thumb

[MooreDriven]

My late entry.

[Nikolai]

My late entry.
Nice! I like campfires! :thumb

[Manfr3d]

How about works of fire?

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1075/1282036819_a370b39070.jpg?v=0
Shot with Canon 10D, Tamron 70-300mm/4-5.6 lens at f11
70mm, 5s and ISO 100 in bulb mode. Tripod and cable release.

[Nikolai]

How about works of fire?
Shot with Canon 10D, Tamron 70-300mm/4-5.6 lens at f11
70mm, 5s and ISO 100 in bulb mode. Tripod and cable release.
I think it would do nicely! :thumb
Although, bg is strangely not black but gray :scratch

[Manfr3d]

I just calibrated my display and it looks black to me ... :scratch

Edit: You were right, I uploaded the wrong version. Now it should be ok.

[Nikolai]

I just calibrated my display and it looks black to me ... :scratch
Well, I ran your image in PS, and your BG reads 25R-24G-26B, which is pretty far from 0-0-0 in my book :dunno
I guess you need to change your calibration device/procedure/software... :wink

[Manfr3d]

Well, I ran your image in PS, and your BG reads 25R-24G-26B, which is pretty far from 0-0-0 in my book :dunno
I guess you need to change your calibration device/procedure/software... :wink

Yes I uploaded the wrong version of the pic. It should be fixed now. Sorry for the confusion and thanks for pointing me to it :thumb

[Nikolai]

Yes I uploaded the wrong version of the pic. It should be fixed now. Sorry for the confusion and thanks for pointing me to it :thumb
Now we're talking! :thumb

[Manfr3d]

I got one more:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1125/1282166349_ffffc2d05d.jpg?v=0
Shot with Canon 10D, Tamron 70-300mm/4-5.6 lens at f16
300mm, 4s and ISO 100 in bulb mode. Tripod and cable release.

[Nikolai]

I got one more:
Shot with Canon 10D, Tamron 70-300mm/4-5.6 lens at f16
300mm, 4s and ISO 100 in bulb mode. Tripod and cable release.
Nice colors, thanks!
Where do you get to shoot the fireworks these days? Labor day is not here yet, and 4th of July has been long gone....:scratch

[Manfr3d]

Nice colors, thanks!
Where do you get to shoot the fireworks these days? Labor day is not here yet, and 4th of July has been long gone....:scratch

I'm living in Germany :wink We have many regional and local events here in
the Cologne area which sometimes end with small and medium fireworks.
Last weekeend was such an opportunity at my girlfriends home town where
they celebrate their city each year with street performers, open air concerts,
grilled food and stands form the local bussinesses. And this firework.

[Nikolai]

I'm living in Germany :wink We have many regional and local events here in
the Cologne area which sometimes end with small and medium fireworks.
Last weekeend was such an opportunity at my girlfriends home town where
they celebrate their city each year with street performers, open air concerts,
grilled food and stands form the local bussinesses. And this firework.
Aha! I knew there is life outside US (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WALIARHHLII) :lol3

[Manfr3d]

Aha! I knew there is life outside US (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WALIARHHLII) :lol3

:lol3 Thats too funny. :thumb

[Pixel Popper]

When I first saw this assignment, I started thinking about what kind of artistic rendering I could accomplish, and how to get the most compelling image of fire. Well, as luck would have it (bad luck, that is) I had a situation thrust upon me this evening.

I was looking at photos on Dgrin when I heard an explosion out my window. As it turns out, the building next to me was on fire!!!

This is just one shot, so as not to clutter the assignment space, but if you would like to see the whole series, please visit my posting in the "Other Cool Shots" forum by using this link (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=72398).

I'm still going to look for a creative way to shoot fire, but for the time being, here is an initial entry:

http://lh3.google.com/Howard.Starrett/Rvx6wyuXVKI/AAAAAAAAJdw/71jkp9gH53o/s800/_DSC0005.JPG

[Nikolai]

When I first saw this assignment, I started thinking about what kind of artistic rendering I could accomplish, and how to get the most compelling image of fire. Well, as luck would have it (bad luck, that is) I had a situation thrust upon me this evening.

I was looking at photos on Dgrin when I heard an explosion out my window. As it turns out, the building next to me was on fire!!!

This is just one shot, so as not to clutter the assignment space, but if you would like to see the whole series, please visit my posting in the "Other Cool Shots" forum by using this link (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=72398).

I'm still going to look for a creative way to shoot fire, but for the time being, here is an initial entry:


Thank you for the entry! :thumb
Sorry about the accident, hope nobody got hurt...:cry :dunno

[globaltraveller]

fire... and a bonus element:

http://globaltraveller.smugmug.com/photos/414910875_tXwUC-M.jpg

Centennial Flame, Parliament Hill, Ottawa

[Nikolai]

fire... and a bonus element:
Centennial Flame, Parliament Hill, Ottawa
Very nice entry, thank you! :thumb