Turn off any extra lights and close your blinds.Īs always, you’ll want to shoot in RAW format so that you have an easier time post-processing the images.Excessive airflow will disturb the smoke. Look around the room and make sure that all fans are off, windows are closed and there is no draft.Place the reflector (if you don’t have a reflector, you can also use a large sheet of white cardboard) directly opposite the flash, so that the light from the flash reflects off of the cardboard.If you’re using an extendable cord, make sure one end is attached to your camera. If you’re using a radio trigger, make sure your flash is synced with your camera. Make sure the flash is not pointed at the background. Adjust the power of the external flash to 1/16 to start out with. Position your external flash opposite the lamp so that it is also pointed directly at the tip of the incense stick.

As you’ll see later, the light from the lamp will not affect the final photograph.

Position the lamp so that the light is pointed directly at the tip of the incense.

Place the incense in an incense burner on a table in front of the black cloth (approximately one foot in front of it).

Try to make sure the cloth hangs as flat against the wall as possible. Hang the black cloth from a large, blank wall.An external flash with a radio trigger or extendable cord.Below we offer some tips and advice on how to photograph smoke.

Have you ever seen a photograph of smoke, perfectly lit up on a black or white background? How do photographers capture the essence of smoke so flawlessly? Luckily, this technique is not as hard to duplicate as you may imagine.

Pivot animator cigarette smoke effects