How to Get Started in Smoke Bomb Photography
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Loading... - Justin Black
- 12 May 2022
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There’s something about the abstract nature of smoke that lends itself to creating gorgeous, eye-catching photos as well.
But taking high-quality smoke bomb photos is more inovlved than deploying a smoke bomb and clicking the shutter on your camera…
With that said, this tutorial provides guidance for getting started in smoke bomb photography.
Throughout the article are images created by Albert Cain (Instagram, TikTok), an incredible Bay Area photographer that specializes in using smoke bombs in his art. His images will help spark your creativity for your own images.
Likewise, there are excerpts from an interview I did with Albert sprinkled throughout the article. His insights will give more fuel to your fire for leaning how to get started in smoke bomb photography.
Why Smoke Bombs are Ideal for Photography
As noted above, smoke bombs are excellent photography tools because of their many creative applications. You can use smoke bombs to:
· Obscure the background
· Obscure the subject
· Add color and texture
· Give a photo a whimsical feel
· Accentuate movement
Additionally, smoke bomb photography can be used with many types of subjects. Though you often see this type of photography used for portraiture, you can also use smoke bombs for landscapes, architectural shoots, fashion photography, street photography, and sports photography.
As Albert explains, “My style is all in my name “abstract_0ne.” I like the concept of being an artist that sometimes uses a camera as a tool to create. And the most exciting projects for me are the type of things that are 100% original. It’s hard to label my style really because I shoot so many different styles. A lot of people have extremely specific niches. For me creativity on its own is my niche. And I apply that in all the styles of photography I do. From high shutter speed smoke grenades, fire, or particles of some sort. To cars, astrophotography, portraits, landscapes, product photography. It all calls to me, because creativity and adding a unique twist to things is always rewarding.”
But…Safety First!
While smoke bomb photography can be extremely fun, it can also be quite dangerous. Smoke bombs shed sparks when they’re lit, which is a major concern if you’re using them in a dry area.
Additionally, if you don’t hold the smoke bombs properly, you or your model could suffer burns.
Naturally, you want to be careful where you use smoke bombs as well. Igniting one in a busy downtown area is probably not the best idea!
That being the case, the first lesson for getting started in smoke bomb photography is to be very careful and check pertinent rules and regulations. If there is any doubt about whether you should ignite a smoke bomb, the best course of action is simply not to do it. When taking part in this type of photography, it’s on you to be sure you’re obeying safety and legal requirements. Also bring safety gear just in case. Water and a blanket to smother sparks that turn to flames are a must!
Smoke Bomb Photography Tips
So, with the safety warning out of the way, let’s get to the fun stuff…
Get to Know Different Types of Smoke Bombs
When you buy new photography gear, it’s incumbent on you to learn how to use it. Of course, prior to purchasing new gear, you should explore the various options and select items that fit in with your workflow and that meet your needs.
The same is true with accessories like smoke bombs. There are various colors and sizes from many different manufacturers. Some come in cans while others are more like grenades. Still others are sticks that emit smoke from one end.
Albert has a few favorites:
“...there’s a specific grenade that’s perfect for different settings/needs. I like the regular single vent grenades because you get a bit more time and overall ease of maneuverability. But the double vent puts out a ton of smoke at once and they also cover more space. And then the minis are great for product photography and adding a nice atmospheric color smoke blanket to an outdoor/semi indoor set.”
For smoke bomb photography, you’ll need bombs that burn at different rates - some quickly and some slowly. Some smoke bombs emit intense smoke while others are much lighter in their smoke output.
Your initial smoke bomb photography will require some experimentation on your part. Try different types and brands to see what works best.
So, how does one get into smoke bomb photography? As Albert points out, his journey started on a minute level:
“It all started with my love for particle photography. I got into it with steel wool photography. Seeing the sparks fly and frozen in time was so sick to me. In the past I’ve been a fan of those small smoke bombs you can get at firework stands. So I did a few shoots with those. And then craved more smoke and longer time to shoot with it. While doing some research on smoke grenades I stumbled across Smoke Effect. Seeing their prices and bundle deals was the reason I was able to give it a try. Before then I had always seen it as a bit too pricey. But as soon as I came across their site I made an order and am so glad that I did. “
Plan Ahead
As with any type of photography, it’s important to plan ahead for your smoke bomb photography shoots.
The weather, for example, can wreak havoc with a smoke bomb photo shoot. Albert notes that “The most important factor to smoke grenade shots is the wind. Little to no wind is ideal but always shoot to where the smoke is being blown away from the camera. Standing in the wrong spot can ultimately end up with a grenade being wasted with no good shots. I always check the direction the wind is going before setting up.”
Of course, you also need to heed local rules and regulations, and be sure to choose a shoot location where smoke bombs are permitted and safe to use. For example, it wouldn’t be wise of me to heat to the dry forests of Southern California and ignite a smoke bomb. I could easily start a wildfire and cause all sorts of destruction.
Also think about the context of the smoke bomb in relation to the background and the setting of the shot.
In some cases, you might use the smoke bomb to mask an unattractive background. In other cases, the smoke might be used to enhance a feature in the foreground or draw attention to a model. You might use smoke in a wide-open space or in an enclosed area like a tunnel to create vastly different looking images. Read More…
