Fire painting

Fire painting is a photographic lighting technique using fire as a light source. The term fire painting also encompasses images lit from outside the frame using fire sources.

Techniques

By moving the fire source, the fire can be used to selectively illuminate parts of the subject or to "paint" a picture by moving it around the subject the camera lens. Fire Painting requires a slow shutter speed, usually a second or more. Alternatively shooting fire to capture its unique texture and shape requires very fast shutter speed, normally 1000th of a second.

Equipment

Primary items required are Kevlar ropes or straps, these are then soaked in Coleman fuel or Paraffin and lit – a variety of devices can be used to hold these, ranging from metal frames to tie the straps to or long poles to hang the strap from.

A tripod is usually necessary due to the long exposure times involved. Alternatively, the camera may be placed on or braced against a table or other solid support. A shutter release cable or self timer is generally employed in order to minimize camera shake.

Primary items required.

• Kevlar ropes or straps
• Coleman fuel or Paraffin
• CO2 extinguisher
• Wet towel close by, wrap this around the strap to kill the flames.
• Metal Jug to soak kevlar rope or strap
• Metal Pole with hook at end to hold strap, or other metal FHD (Firewall holding device) to hold the strap.
• Assistant to help
• tripod
• shutter release cable or self timer

External links

• Van Elder Photography - Light Painting with fire, a firewall.aka fire painting
• Gorgeous Photos of Flame Painting and Fire Breathing Experiments
• Fire Painting: Chelsea Jean