here's an odd one - how to shoot fire walking?

sturisoma

sturisoma

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ok so my son is going to do some fire walking for charity. I'd like to get some good shots of varying aspects

ones of feet on coals
ones of the walker reaching the end (face-on shots)
ones of the walker from the side

now then, I reckon it will be reasonably dark (not floodlit but maybe street light type of stuff), and the walkers will be moving fairly quickly (lol) so...

I'd appreciate some tips on settings - do I use the action setting? Will I need my flash? what's the best way to shoot feet on hot coals so that I can get an impression of the fire but also the feet (white feet might get blown)

ok I reckon that's enough to start with :)

thanks in advance :banana:
 
Are the coals glowing? If they are, my piece de resistance would be a front three quarter shot along the coal bed, exposing for the coals, so maybe a couple of seconds, flash on rear curtain flagged* off so it only illuminates the walker.

*Hobbycraft do A4 sheets of Fab Foam for 49p. Black for flags, white for reflectors and all colours in between.
 
HI. I did this once (shot it, not walked on 'em). Very difficult. Was in an unlit tennis court in the dark, so the only light was from the coals. Pretty gloomy. My camera/skills weren't up to it back then, but even now I think I'd be hard pressed to get much. Flash will kill the moment. The walkers go pretty blinkin quick when they go, so everything gets blurred. Good luck, post your images, love to see them.
 
Rear curtain flash is the way to go here i think, longish shutter speed to capture the ambient light from the coals then a short flash burst to light and freeze the walker.
 
I tried this on holiday this year and also found it really difficult I think if you know the location you can plan ahead. The location I had was last minute in a very dark outside shack I had my 24-105 f4 and that was it. If I'd had my 50mm and a flash I probably could have made something out of it but they all went in the bin.

Good luck and if you make it work share!
 
how about taking it from the side were you can see the persons whole walk and take several shots then blend them into 1 shot like multiplicity :thumbs: think that would look good, youd need flash for that so it freezes each shot, and of a close-ish slow shutter on the feet so you get some movement :thumbs:
 
I would say shoot from the front off to one side at about a 45 degree angle to get the depth. Stick on a tripod and have a longer shutter for the ambient light ie the coals and then 2nd curtain sync to expose the walker and get a bit of flash and blur to show the movement.

I don't know if it would be possible but maybe you could use something to light up around the coals to give more light and atmosphere like surrounding the coals with red glow sticks or candles?
 
Daymouse said:
I would say shoot from the front off to one side at about a 45 degree angle to get the depth. Stick on a tripod and have a longer shutter for the ambient light ie the coals and then 2nd curtain sync to expose the walker and get a bit of flash and blur to show the movement.
Click to expand...

That sounds good also :thumbs:
 
um ok lots of ideas there, will have to learn this rear curtain thingy - my flash is a generic one and I don't have a remote trigger for it, so it would have to be on the hot shoe or I'd need one of those voice activated stands :D

I may need more tips for the flash part - never used a flash before (except the camera flash in my auto days lol)

I'm pretty sure I'd be able to get them to do it again if it goes wrong :lol:
 
sturisoma said:
um ok lots of ideas there, will have to learn this rear curtain thingy - my flash is a generic one and I don't have a remote trigger for it, so it would have to be on the hot shoe or I'd need one of those voice activated stands :D

I may need more tips for the flash part - never used a flash before (except the camera flash in my auto days lol)

I'm pretty sure I'd be able to get them to do it again if it goes wrong :lol:
Click to expand...

Rear curtain is set in your camera flash menu :thumbs: keep your flash on TTL, you can also adjust the amount of flash
 
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I've worked out how to do rear curtain flash :) now I need to practise. I think my son should practise too so I think I should set up some coals in my garden :lol:
 
On the night practice with some of the other walkers so then you should have it nailed by the time it's your sons turn.
 
tonight's the night, and it's blummin freezin'
 
Good luck. I hope we get to see some results. :)
 
Oooooh, looking forward to seeing the pics
 
sorry folks it was snowing to much to get my camera out, well, more like sleet. maybe would have if had been the old 400 but not my new precious 50 :lol:
 
it was great, I want to try it now :lol:

very busy though, seems this type of thing is quite popular :)
 
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