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Archive 2008 · How to shoot steam/smoke?

  
 
Ghost
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p.1 #1 · How to shoot steam/smoke?


Hello,
I will be shooting a set of photos on chefs-at-work. Naturally their kitchens will likely be filled with steam and smoke. As it is indoors, lighting may be tricky so will need flash. But light will just reflect back the steam/smoke which I want to avoid.
Basically how should I achieve something like this?


courtesy dannyelwes...



May 14, 2008 at 10:59 PM
Brent Ward
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p.1 #2 · How to shoot steam/smoke?


Backlighting is your friend...


May 14, 2008 at 11:15 PM
Ghost
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p.1 #3 · How to shoot steam/smoke?


So place a strobe down the kitchen? Hmm....


May 14, 2008 at 11:43 PM
September
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p.1 #4 · How to shoot steam/smoke?


Backlighting should do the job for you.



May 15, 2008 at 06:07 AM
shatterkiss
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p.1 #5 · How to shoot steam/smoke?


Backlighting. That's what you're seeing there - check out the rimlight on the line cook that's closest to the camera, you can see the same light that's blowing out the steam in the center of the image.


May 15, 2008 at 06:26 AM
Ghost
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p.1 #6 · How to shoot steam/smoke?


So you think it's staged? So basically avoid head-on flash on the steam eh? I read that side lighting works well too.
The thing is, the chef will likely be busy going about his business what do you suggest to coordinate this? He does have to deliver the food. Thank goodness he is not Gordon Ramsay-type!



May 15, 2008 at 11:03 AM
plnelson
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p.1 #7 · How to shoot steam/smoke?


Brent Ward wrote:
Backlighting is your friend...


I (heart) backlit steam and smoke




May 15, 2008 at 12:38 PM
shatterkiss
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p.1 #8 · How to shoot steam/smoke?


Ghost wrote:
So you think it's staged?


Only insofar as the shooter stuck a couple of lights in the room. It could be as simple as a couple of Nikon Speedlights and the CLS wireless system, or real studio strobes and Pocketwizards. I think that most people who shoot environmental portraiture are going to run around with at least three or four flashes to do exactly this kind of thing.



May 15, 2008 at 04:41 PM
September
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p.1 #9 · How to shoot steam/smoke?


Ghost wrote:
So you think it's staged? So basically avoid head-on flash on the steam eh? I read that side lighting works well too.
The thing is, the chef will likely be busy going about his business what do you suggest to coordinate this? He does have to deliver the food. Thank goodness he is not Gordon Ramsay-type!


Look at the neon lights in the upper left corner. They have a somewhat green hue. In the background there is a strong lightsource, most probably a flashunit.This looks like it was "staged" to me.

My suggestion is,for what its worth, arrive early before the chef starts working and take some test shots, if you are to shoot with multiple flashes take you're time (maybe there is someone you could use as a stand in). Dont't forget to communicate to the chef about what you are going to do.



May 16, 2008 at 07:41 AM
Ghost
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p.1 #10 · How to shoot steam/smoke?


Yeah I will arrive about 30mins earlier before opening. It really depends on the manager who opens up the restaurant. Also I need to take the interiors during the session too... when it is still empty.


May 16, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Ariel Bravy
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p.1 #11 · How to shoot steam/smoke?


I've had good luck shooting smoke via sidelighting.

http://www.wonderfulphotos.com/articles/macro/matches/



May 16, 2008 at 06:21 PM
Ghost
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p.1 #12 · How to shoot steam/smoke?


^ Beautiful! Someone also mentioned side lighting.


May 16, 2008 at 06:28 PM
pp101
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p.1 #13 · How to shoot steam/smoke?


This will help you...

http://www.foodportfolio.com/blog/food_photography/steam.html



May 16, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Beni
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p.1 #14 · How to shoot steam/smoke?


If you want to minimize it then bounce is your friend for the more subtle steam effect.


May 20, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Ghost
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p.1 #15 · How to shoot steam/smoke?


^ bounce where? off the ceiling? Probably side wall if there is.
Anyhow my photoshoot has been postponed due to a kitchen fire...



May 20, 2008 at 11:53 AM
freaklikeme
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p.1 #16 · How to shoot steam/smoke?


Oh, too bad you couldn't have timed it for that. The backlighting would've been incredible.


May 21, 2008 at 01:54 PM





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