Using Fire with Still-life or Product Photography

Photography Tips  •  Product Photography

Mixing fire with anything highly flammable seems like a disaster waiting to happen, but it can add an interesting twist to product or still-life photography if executed correctly. The movement and energy of fire can create several different effects, from light trails to rippling flames. This is photographer Von Wong’s attempt at creating an eye-catching series of images in a beautiful location surrounded by a variety of pyrotechnics:

He and his team of pyrotechnicians and assistants used custom-made structures, sparklers and fountains to create some magnificent effects. However, the art piece they were photographing, Cyril Anguelidis’ WOM dog, happens to be highly flammable, so you can imagine how careful and precise they must have been to get the shot and protect the valuable art piece as well.

Von shares his camera settings for each photo on his blog.

Nikon D800E | 24-70mm f/2.8 | 2.3 sec at f / 22.0, ISO 100

Nikon D800E | 14-24mm f/2.8 | 17.0 sec at f /6.0, ISO 50

Nikon D800E | 24-70mm f/2.8 | 2.4 sec at f / 18.0, ISO 100

Nikon D800E | 24-70mm f/2.8 | 1/1000th sec at f /5.0, ISO 100

Nikon D800E | 24-70mm f/2.8 | 1.6 sec at f / 8.0, ISO 125

Fortunately for Von and his team, the weather was on their side that day. “Actually the weather was quite mild. We were in a sheltered environment (walls on all side) so wind was not an issue. The temperature was slightly cold (approximately 10 degrees Celsius) but no danger of the fuel freezing so we were all good,” Von said on his blog.

The environment for the photoshoot needed a little something to make it more exciting. Von Wong says that they “poured water from a fountain onto the ground to make everything nice, shiny and reflective.” This small detail was enough to add more dimension to his images.