Smoke Art Photography: The Complete Guide
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Loading... - Simon Akello
- 23 Jun 2022
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Photography pushes the boundaries of what is realistic and what you see in a photo. I’m not saying that the camera is playing tricks with what you see. It is stated that it’s up to the photographer to showcase the beauty and wonder within the photo. There is so much meaning in a photo of smoke. It’s up to you to master the technique of it and blow the minds of your viewers.
Smoke art is a technique that is both pure art and abstract photography. Smoke art photography is an excellent way for any photographer to learn and build skills. Photographers can use smoke art to experiment with lighting and how it affects an image.
This photographic style uses the fading effect of smoke. You can get creative with your images and how you produce them. Cultivating something different will set you apart from the rest. Smoke art is more about the abstract forms you can create with smoke. There are so many other ideas and opportunities that you can learn about Smoke art. I recently posted a guide about smoke bomb photography that is similar and another fun way to wow.
Smoke is a beautiful element that offers a wide range of creative options, and it’s often a source of great learning. I’m going to introduce you to smoke art. This article will discuss what smoke art is, how to create it, and what tools you will need to do so. I will also show you some great examples along the way.
What is Smoke Art
Smoke art photography is what the name suggests. This photography technique uses smoke as the main subject to capture stunning photographs. It is a form of art that holds the attention of those interested in intricate and mysterious visuals. Often, smoke isn’t the normal subject that is front and center. Think about situations in nature, like a wildfire or a natural disaster. A subject is a person or the object that the fire or smoke is affecting. In smoke photography, smoke gets to be the main focus and within a studio environment.
Formless smoke flies through the air like a ghost. It floats upwards into nothing but endlessness, conveying a sense of free spirit. Smoke can take on varying intricate forms and sizes. With the fiery filaments connecting and the countless unusual little patterns spiraling. It is impossible to recreate twice the same smoke art photograph.
Due to the uncertainty of the smoke, waiting for the right moment to snap that shot is exciting! You can’t guess or know what will come to fruition with this type of photography. Many photographers dabble in this genre for the sheer mystery of the subject. There are so many things in the world around us. So many things are such a mystery, but there is something about smoke art. There is almost this mid-evil, timeless feeling that one can have. It’s pretty incredible.
Best Equipment for Smoke Art
I would go as far as to say that smoke photography is simple. It can be one of the most intuitive. There isn’t anything in photography that is “simple.” It is a profession or hobby that is a learned skill. You want to be sure that you have the right tools to go along. You will be capturing intricate detail, and preparation is key to your success.
Camera
The most critical piece of equipment needed is your camera. A DSLR mirrorless camera is a recommendation here. Because smoke is elusive and translucent, control is a must. You will need to manage the shutter speed by a manual setting. Some genres of photography might be best with a more robust, expensive camera. The most costly high-tech camera isn’t required.
You can find some pretty decent camera options that don’t break the bank.
An APS-C sensor camera like the Canon EOS Rebel T7 is a great option, and it already comes with an 18-55mm lens. It’s selling on Amazon for an unbelievable price right now.
Lens
As mentioned above, some cameras will come in a kit. A kit includes the camera, lens, SD card, and other items. Photography kits are fantastic and will take you far in your journey, but an upgrade is excellent too. For smoke art you a macro lens is perfect. The Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro is ideal for this task. Read More…
