Anisha Riggs
Incense smoke photography is a fun project that can produce unique and abstract images. It is also a great way to experiment with lighting and shutter speed settings on your camera. The process is simple and can be done with minimal equipment, making it an accessible project for photographers of all skill levels. All you need is a camera, tripod, incense, a light source, and a black backdrop. Once you have your setup ready, play around with different shutter speeds and lighting to capture the intricate patterns of the smoke. You can even use Photoshop to enhance your images and bring your creative vision to life.
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What You'll Learn
Use a black background
To photograph incense smoke with a black background, you will need a black backdrop, which can be a sheet of card, a piece of cloth, or a black sheet. You can also use a black jacket or skirt if you don't have a large backdrop, as you will be working quite close to it. Set up your camera on a tripod, at the right height and in the correct position in relation to the background. The height will change as the incense stick burns down, so you will need to adjust this throughout your shoot.
Hang your black backdrop from a large, blank wall, ensuring it hangs as flat against the wall as possible. Place the incense in a burner on a table in front of the backdrop, approximately one foot away. You can use a 'third hand' device to bend and lift the stick while it's burning, or put it into a stand or some plasticine. Just remember to put something underneath to catch any falling ash.
Position a lamp so that the light falls directly on the tip of the incense. You can also use a table lamp to help with focusing. Position your external flash opposite the lamp, also pointed directly at the tip of the incense stick. Adjust the power of the external flash to 1/16 to start with, and then take a couple of test shots, adjusting the flash intensity as needed.
Once you are ready, light the incense and check that the light is falling on the area above the glowing tip. You can then start shooting. You will need to keep an eye on the height of the tripod as the incense burns down. You can also gently blow the smoke or add another incense stick to create different shapes and designs.
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Set up a lightbox
To photograph incense smoke, you will need to set up a lightbox. This will help you control the lighting and background, which are crucial in smoke photography.
Firstly, you will need a lightbox. You can buy a portable lightbox or make your own. To make your own, you will need a large, sturdy cardboard box and thin, white translucent plastic sheeting or paper. Secure the bottom of the box with tape so that there are no gaps, and do the same inside so that the flaps lay flat. You can also use semi-opaque or translucent paper, tracing paper, or white plastic to diffuse your light source. If you are struggling to get an accurate colour photo, place a piece of neutral grey paper at the back of the box to make it easier to adjust the white balance settings on your camera.
Next, set up your light source. You can use a flash or another source of off-camera lighting. If you are using a flash, place it to the side of the background so that it is facing through the smoke. This will ensure that the smoke is lit up and not the background. If you are using a continuous light source, it needs to be powerful enough to allow a fast enough shutter speed to freeze the smoke.
Now, set up your incense stick. Place the incense on top of the lightbox so that the light shines up through the smoke. Make sure the incense is far enough from the background so that it is well separated and the light won't spill into it. If you are using a telephoto lens, you can position your camera further away to protect it from any damage by the smoke. Attach the camera to a tripod or suitable support approximately 12-18 inches away from the incense stick.
Finally, light the incense stick and wait for the smoke to rise. You can blow on the tip of the incense stick to create more smoke, and then wait for a decent swirl or pattern to build up before taking your photo.
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Position the camera on a tripod
Positioning your camera on a tripod is an essential step when photographing incense smoke. This setup helps you maintain a consistent distance from the subject, ensuring that your images remain sharp and focused throughout your shooting session. Here are some detailed instructions to guide you through the process:
Firstly, choose a suitable tripod for your camera. Any tripod model will work, from professional-grade tripods like those in the Manfrotto 190 Series to more lightweight and compact travel tripods. Select a tripod that suits your specific needs and ensures stability for your camera.
Once you have your tripod, set it up at the desired height. Adjust the tripod's legs to achieve the appropriate elevation for capturing images of the incense smoke. Remember that the height will change slightly as the incense stick burns down, so you may need to make adjustments during your photoshoot.
Now, position the tripod in the correct location relative to your background and subject. Set up your tripod in a large, draught-free room to ensure a comfortable shooting experience and minimize air currents that could disturb the smoke. Place the tripod at a distance where you can frame the incense and capture the smoke effectively without including unnecessary elements in the shot.
After positioning the tripod, mount your camera onto it securely. Follow the instructions for your specific tripod model to attach the camera safely. Ensure that the camera is stable and balanced on the tripod before proceeding.
Finally, fine-tune the camera's position on the tripod. Adjust the tripod's head to tilt the camera slightly up and to the left, anticipating the direction in which the incense smoke will rise. Ensure that the incense stick itself is not visible within the frame. This step may require some experimentation to find the perfect angle for capturing the smoke's movement and patterns.
By carefully positioning your camera on a tripod, you'll be all set to capture captivating images of incense smoke, allowing you to focus on your creativity and explore the endless possibilities of this unique photographic subject.
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Adjust shutter speed and aperture
To capture the movement of incense smoke in your photography, adjusting your shutter speed and aperture settings is crucial. These settings will determine how sharp and bright your images are, as well as how the smoke trails are rendered in your final shots. Here are some detailed tips on how to adjust these settings for stunning incense smoke photography:
For shutter speed, you'll want to use a relatively slow speed to capture the motion of the smoke. Start with a shutter speed of around 1/20th of a second, and adjust from there. Slower shutter speeds will create more blur in the smoke, resulting in ethereal, dreamy visuals. If you want to freeze the motion of the smoke and capture more detail, you can experiment with faster shutter speeds, but this will require a lot of light and a higher ISO setting.
The sweet spot for shutter speed will depend on the effect you're going for and the lighting conditions you have. In low-light conditions, you may need to use a tripod to avoid camera shake at slower shutter speeds. If you want to get creative, try using a flash in combination with slow shutter speeds to capture sharp details alongside the motion blur of the smoke.
When it comes to aperture, a wider aperture (lower f-stop number) will let in more light, allowing you to use faster shutter speeds if needed. A wider aperture will also give you a shallower depth of field, which can be used to blur out distractions in the background and bring focus to the smoke. If you're shooting with a busy background, this can be a useful technique to isolate the incense smoke as the main subject of your photo.
However, if you want to keep a larger depth of field to capture more of the environment, or if you're shooting with a group of incense sticks to create a sense of scale, you may want to use a narrower aperture (higher f-stop number). This will result in a sharper image overall, with more of the scene in focus. Keep in mind that narrower apertures require slower shutter speeds to let in enough light, so you'll need to balance these settings accordingly.
Remember that the settings you choose will depend on the specific lighting conditions and artistic vision for your incense smoke photography. Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations of shutter speed and aperture to find the ones that best capture the beauty and mystery of incense smoke.
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Play with colours and layers
When photographing incense smoke, you can experiment with colours and layers to create captivating and artistic images. Here are some techniques to try:
Set Up Your Background and Lighting:
Start by hanging a black cloth or backdrop from a large, blank wall, ensuring it hangs as flat as possible. Alternatively, use a black sheet of cardboard or a piece of black fabric. Position your incense in a burner or holder on a table, approximately one foot in front of the backdrop. Set up a lamp with a cone-shaped shade to direct the light onto the tip of the incense stick. You can also use cardboard to create a makeshift cone if needed.
Focus Your Camera:
Mount your camera on a tripod and focus on the tip of the incense stick, as this is where the smoke will originate. Switch your focus ring to manual, then tilt the camera slightly up and to the left, following the path of the rising smoke. Ensure that the incense stick itself is not visible within the frame.
Play with Colours:
Incense smoke photography provides an opportunity to experiment with colours in captivating ways. You can enhance or add colours to your images during post-processing using software like Adobe Lightroom or Adobe Photoshop. Here are some specific techniques:
- Hue and Saturation: Adjust the hue and saturation settings to find a colour you like.
- Gradient Fill Layer: Apply a gradient fill layer to add a rainbow of colours to your image. Experiment with different angles, styles, and scales to create unique effects.
- Colour Layer: If you want to apply the gradient only to the smoke, change the "normal" setting in the layers palette to "colour".
- Invert the Image: To change the background colour, create a new adjustment layer and invert it. This will turn the background white, and you can then adjust the hue/saturation layer to change the smoke colour.
- Black and White: For a classic look, remove all saturation to create a black-and-white image.
Layering Techniques:
To create complex and intriguing compositions, try these layering techniques:
- Duplicate and Flip: Duplicate your smoke image and flip it horizontally or vertically onto a new layer in screen mode. Move the new layer around until you find an interesting pattern or composition.
- Extend and Rotate: Extend the canvas size, then duplicate and rotate the layers to create unique patterns and designs.
- Transform and Repeat: Use the transform and repeat function in Photoshop to create repetitive patterns and fractal-like designs.
Remember, when it comes to photographing incense smoke, there is no right or wrong way. Let your creativity flow, and don't be afraid to experiment with different colours, layers, and compositions.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a camera, tripod, incense, an incense holder or burner, a black backdrop (which can be a sheet, piece of cloth, or card), a flashgun, and a lamp.
Set up your camera on the tripod, hang the black backdrop from a blank wall, and place the incense in the holder or burner on a table in front of the backdrop. Position the lamp so that the light falls directly on the tip of the incense, and place the flashgun on a stand to the right or left of the setup, facing the incense.
Set your camera to manual focus, pick a low ISO (100 or 200), start with a mid-aperture (f/8), and set your shutter speed to the camera's recommended sync speed (usually 1/125 or 1/200).
Light the incense, blow out the flame, and adjust your flash intensity as needed. Take as many photos as you like, playing around with different colours and layers. You can lightly blow the smoke or add another incense stick to create different patterns.
