First attempt at smoke

da0acer0 · 01-05-2009

Smoke seemed like a cool subject, and I tried it for the first time, C&C welcomed

1:

2:

3:

JuDiThA · 01-05-2009

Nice first try. You got some cool patterns. Try a levels adjustment to bring out the blacks. It will make the smoke stand out more

da0acer0 · 01-06-2009

Something like this? (this is the first time I've played around with the levels adjustments in photoshop)

1:

2:

and 3:

(I didn't like how the last one came out, it was hard to get a good balance on that one).

JuDiThA · 01-06-2009

Yes! That's exactly right. Well done. You can change the color of the smoke using the gradient map. ==Add a gradient map adjustment layer and switch the mode to overlay or softlight for example, and you can get some neat colors.

thebeing · 01-06-2009

maybe try a bit more sharpening?
and, try using a flashlight to get the smoke into focus (use manual focus and a smaller aperture)

da0acer0 · 01-06-2009

Thank you all for the comments and help. Aperture is confusing to me, if I recall correctly a smaller (less light) aperture has a higher number right? (the f number?)

thebeing · 01-06-2009

yup...smaller f = less light, and greater depth of field (or is it deeper?)...anyway, it will help you in having most of the smoke in focus. but, beware that smaller f needs more flash power, so, you'll eighter have to increase the flash power if you shoot your flash on manual, if you shoot on e-ttl (i-ttl for nikon), that adjustment will be made automatically.
well...i'm not an expert in shooting smoke (did it only once...), but what i've told you seem to be make sense for me...

well, hope to see more pictures!

cheers!

Athena · 01-11-2009

you're off to a good start with it. The ones that have the black point set look good.

01-05-2009	#1
da0acer0 Alpaca Posts: 27 CamelKarma: 140 Gallery \| Blog	First attempt at smoke Smoke seemed like a cool subject, and I tried it for the first time, C&C welcomed 1: 2: 3: __________________ Members don't see ads in threads. Register your free account today and become a member of PhotoCamel to open up the site's many benefits and features.

01-05-2009	#2
JuDiThA F1 Camel Location: Arizona Posts: 2,665 CamelKarma: 9145 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: First attempt at smoke Nice first try. You got some cool patterns. Try a levels adjustment to bring out the blacks. It will make the smoke stand out more
	__________________ "The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera"

01-06-2009	#3
da0acer0 Alpaca Posts: 27 CamelKarma: 140 Gallery \| Blog	Re: First attempt at smoke Something like this? (this is the first time I've played around with the levels adjustments in photoshop) 1: 2: and 3: (I didn't like how the last one came out, it was hard to get a good balance on that one).

01-06-2009	#4
JuDiThA F1 Camel Location: Arizona Posts: 2,665 CamelKarma: 9145 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: First attempt at smoke Yes! That's exactly right. Well done. You can change the color of the smoke using the gradient map. ==Add a gradient map adjustment layer and switch the mode to overlay or softlight for example, and you can get some neat colors.
	__________________ "The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera"

01-06-2009	#5
thebeing Llama Location: Romania, CT Posts: 733 CamelKarma: 24438 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: First attempt at smoke maybe try a bit more sharpening? and, try using a flashlight to get the smoke into focus (use manual focus and a smaller aperture)
	__________________ Nikon d7000;Nikkor 35mm f/1.8; Nikkor 18-70 f/3.5-4.5, Sigma 55-200mm D f/4.5-5.6, nikkor 50mm 1:1.8, sigma 105mm f/2.8 macro and the lovely Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6. Slik Pro 330 DX tripod my photoblog: http://emtee-photography.blogspot.com comments welcomed, critics even more.

01-06-2009	#6
da0acer0 Alpaca Posts: 27 CamelKarma: 140 Gallery \| Blog	Re: First attempt at smoke Thank you all for the comments and help. Aperture is confusing to me, if I recall correctly a smaller (less light) aperture has a higher number right? (the f number?)

01-06-2009	#7
thebeing Llama Location: Romania, CT Posts: 733 CamelKarma: 24438 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: First attempt at smoke yup...smaller f = less light, and greater depth of field (or is it deeper?)...anyway, it will help you in having most of the smoke in focus. but, beware that smaller f needs more flash power, so, you'll eighter have to increase the flash power if you shoot your flash on manual, if you shoot on e-ttl (i-ttl for nikon), that adjustment will be made automatically. well...i'm not an expert in shooting smoke (did it only once...), but what i've told you seem to be make sense for me... well, hope to see more pictures! cheers!
	__________________ Nikon d7000;Nikkor 35mm f/1.8; Nikkor 18-70 f/3.5-4.5, Sigma 55-200mm D f/4.5-5.6, nikkor 50mm 1:1.8, sigma 105mm f/2.8 macro and the lovely Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6. Slik Pro 330 DX tripod my photoblog: http://emtee-photography.blogspot.com comments welcomed, critics even more.

01-11-2009	#8
Athena Photocamel Muse Location: Switzerland Posts: 18,182 CamelKarma: 61445 Editing OK?: Ask first Gallery \| Blog	Re: First attempt at smoke you're off to a good start with it. The ones that have the black point set look good. __________________ Members don't see ads in threads. Register your free account today and become a member of PhotoCamel to open up the site's many benefits and features.
	__________________ I'd love to hear your opinion. Facebook Page like? Google+ add?

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