Flower of Light
Flower of Light
When I was asked if I’d like to go out playing with fire and cameras the answer was always going to be an obvious YES! If you’ve never tried this type of photography then I suggest you do so as soon as possible. Basically you need a suitable location that won’t catch fire, some steel wool to burn and get the sparks, a cage of some sort on something like a metal dog lead (you put the steal wool in the cage) and last but definitely not least protective clothing. I’d also suggest doing it with at least one other person so you’re not trying to do everything yourself and as a safety precaution.
Then get stuck in and have some fun. This shot was taken on Bank Holiday Monday earlier this week and on this particular spin I wasn’t inside the flames. Actually I was stood, exposed, with my back against the wind and rain coming from the North Sea, cold fingers grasped around a cable release as I used my body to protect the camera. It had been wonderfully dry all day but predictably as soon as darkness came so did the rain. Not enough to call off the shoot but enough to make things slightly miserable at times. That said it was still huge fun and with luck there will be a next, and a next, and a next time…..
Playing with Fire
Ok so there is a Teacher, a Policeman, an Anaesthesiologist and a woman wearing a wedding dress in a burnt out church….. Sounds like the start of a bad joke doesn’t it. Actually that’s exactly what happened earlier in the week when I was out with my friend Ann for Ghost Project shoot. We arrived just before sunset and were happily setting up when another car pulled up and out jumped another couple of photographers.
We made sure not to interfere with each others shots before joining forces to play with fire. One of the things I always find wonderful about working with other photographers is how in general people are so considerate of each other. The fact that everyone seemed to have the same devil may care dirty sense of humour helped as well.
Naturally we’re now planning the next outing and how we can make it more spectacular without endangering ourselves or our cameras. I came home with 6 burns in a rather delicate place – and a police flat jacket has been suggested as if someone was going to be hit with flying sparks it was always me…
Some days I love my job.
Today my job was great. Firstly I got to play with a Rubens tube which was probably about 8 foot long. Then I got to photograph it!
For those of you who haven’t come across these fabulous things before imagine a long metal tube which you fill with gas. There is a row of holes in the top from which the gas can escape, naturally you set the gas alight as it’s escaping. Then (and this is the bit I love) you pass a sound wave through the tube. This will cause areas of low and high pressure, if you have your gas flow correct the flames will dance to the music for you. I don’t think I need to tell you anything more for you to work out how much fun I had with my iPod and camera.