Ideas on how to photograph smoke from a gun barrel?

[480sparky38 38]

I probably should re-vise my previous statement when I said you could photograph this scene any where using a match vs actual discharging said firearm. Anyhow, I just wanted to mention that people should understand their state and local laws when it comes to firearms. Although you may innocently display a firearm for the sake of a photo scene, it could be viewed as "Branching a Firearm" in some states and punishable by law. So double check your state and local laws first.

*This is mentioned to help inform readers and should not be used to hijack this thread into a political of firearm discussion.*

I think you mean brandishing.

 

[Tailgunner]

I probably should re-vise my previous statement when I said you could photograph this scene any where using a match vs actual discharging said firearm. Anyhow, I just wanted to mention that people should understand their state and local laws when it comes to firearms. Although you may innocently display a firearm for the sake of a photo scene, it could be viewed as "Branching a Firearm" in some states and punishable by law. So double check your state and local laws first.

*This is mentioned to help inform readers and should not be used to hijack this thread into a political of firearm discussion.*

I think you mean brandishing.

What I meant and what auto correct meant are obviously two different things.

 

[Lightsped]

Thanks for the legal concerns. I've been around guns all of my life. Born and raised in the great state of Texas. I also am into NFA (Class 3) firearms so I think I'll be fine making a few happy snaps of a gun or two.

I haven't had time today to work on this project. I hope to work on this some tomorrow. My main concern is that only own one external flash (SB 600). Not sure where is the best place to put it so that the background remains black, and I get good smoke details.

 

[Tailgunner]

Thanks for the legal concerns. I've been around guns all of my life. Born and raised in the great state of Texas. I also am into NFA (Class 3) firearms so I think I'll be fine making a few happy snaps of a gun or two.

I haven't had time today to work on this project. I hope to work on this some tomorrow. My main concern is that only own one external flash (SB 600). Not sure where is the best place to put it so that the background remains black, and I get good smoke details.

I figured as much, but wanted to revise that and help others beware of it.

Anyhow, I don't want to hijack the thread and look forward to seeing some photos.

 

[runnah]

Smoking is the leading cause of gun deaths.

+1 for photoshop.

 

[cwcaesar]

One idea for the smoke coming from a spent casing is removing the primer from the casing. You could then feed the incense or match through the back of the brass. this will obviously not work for a rimfire cartridge, but should do nicely for your 9mm and .45 ACP casings.

 

[cynicaster]

This is what I’d do:

• Set up a match or incense such that the smoke appears to “originate” where you want
• Make sure the background is dark for optimum contrast between the smoke/background
• Place camera on tripod, frame the shot as desired
• manually set focus to exactly where you want using zoomed live view
• Set up an off-camera speed light to one side, and aim it transversely through the smoke
• take a few dozen shots or however many you think you need. A remote trigger is handy here, but not necessary.
• If the match or incense is visible in any of the shots, clone it out in post

I’d also recommend using the speedlight at its maximum zoom setting and attaching a snoot so you can really control where the light from the flash goes. Simply wrapping a piece of black paper or cardboard around the end of the flash will prevent stray light from contaminating the background or illuminating other items in the frame. The idea is to pass a tightly controlled “beam” of light through the smoke to make it “glow” and record in the image. If that snooted beam hits anything else in the frame, it will nuke it and probably ruin the photo.