Haze/smoke machine - on location

analoganx

analoganx

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No exactly a lighting question but unsure which group to post this in...

Does anyone know of a hazer or smoke machine that will work outdoors with a battery?

Or has anyone got any good tips for smoke?

I'm looking to create a bit of an early morning fog effect.

Cheers!
 
metroman said:
I had a concept idea in my head a while back and wanted something that would create smoke. I didn't want to go to the expense of a dedicated smoke machine and so I checked out Youtube for smoke bombs and even considered making one. In the end my concept is on the back-burner but I have bought these http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0001P0F4U?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00 in case I resurrect my idea, still unused.
Click to expand...

They look pretty good. Some amusing reviews too!
 
Yes, I had a giggle when I read the reviews. :LOL:
 
I use these smoke pellets at work and yes they will fill a house up with smoke! They also come in orange smoke as well as grey and you can buy them by the bucket load of 100 pellets. Sure will create thick smoke but not sure it will look like early morning fog.

https://www.bes.co.uk/products/051.asp
 
would a halloween smoke machine work??
 
Last edited:
It depends what you're trying to achieve. Smoke pellets and small smoke machines aren't really all that much use outside. I occasionally use Enola Gaye smoke bombs. There are a few videos of them in action, e.g. here.

They make a lot of smoke which can go just about anywhere. There's a window of about 30 seconds (if you're lucky!) where you get nice tendrils of smoke which fill a scene before it forms an unpleasant haze which reduces contrast - and you then need to wait for it to clear before having another go. If you just want haze for early morning fog then I imagine they'd work really quite well, but you may find it a bit thick. It would help to have someone holding the bomb running around to get it to disperse where you want.

(Note usually pyro precautions apply. It's technically illegal to use them in a public space, the instructions say 'don't be a d*ck' and they are difficult to get hold of via mail order.)

We got through 10 bombs and got one worthwhile image during the making of this...

Snow Queen by Simon Carter, on Flickr
 
I probably can't help much because I've never used one outdoors.
My own smoke machine, which is a diddy little one perfect for studio use, is 471 watts, so if used outdoors would need a full size battery/inverter, not something that can be run off of a cheap option such as a car booster I would think.

Logically, I think that smoke pellets or smoke bombs are probably going to be the best option, but luck will play a large part, because if there is a wind that is working against you it simply can't work unless you can shield the subject from the wind.
 
any smoke, and you do need at least one assistant, solely in charge of said smoke generation and wafting. Arm them with a chunk of polyboard, set of flags or sturdy piece of cardboard
 
Re sourcing smoke pellets Screwfix or Toolstation both sell tthem in packs of about 10 for less than £5
 
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