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Thread: Photographing smoke

  1. #1

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    Photographing smoke

    What produces a nice rich strands of smoke but does not give off strong smell? I would like to try to photograph some, but not in the mood to burn cigarettes at home....

  2. #2
    Land-Scapegrace Heroique's Avatar
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    Re: Photographing smoke

    Would the fragrance of incense be okay?

    Incense sticks produce beautifully slender, well-defined strands in still air.

    Plus you can move them to create ascending, sinuous designs.

    I’ve tried a cinnamon fragrance that was pleasant. It was the 1960's all over again.

  3. #3

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    Re: Photographing smoke

    candle wicks immediately after they have been blown out

  4. #4

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    Re: Photographing smoke

    Here in California they use medicinal grade herbs and everyone has a good time

  5. #5
    joseph
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    Re: Photographing smoke

    That might have a bit of a strong smell though...

    If you'd prefer no smell at all, you could try ink dropped into water-
    very much like smoke, but slower, and more defined-

  6. #6
    LF/ULF Carbon Printer Jim Fitzgerald's Avatar
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    Re: Photographing smoke

    Dry ice?

    Jim

  7. #7
    Downstairs
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    Re: Photographing smoke

    Just for the record. Over here we use glider pilot's AIR CURRENT TUBES, otherwise known as Dräger Strömungsprüfrohrchen. They work nicely for coffee, cigarettes and spaghetti. You stick one end of the glass tube in a rubber bulb and squeeze gently. The strands of vapor hang around for a time when there's no draft. One tube lasts for about 20 shots. The last two shots on this page are done with the Dräger.
    Last edited by cjbroadbent; 12-Dec-2010 at 15:35.

  8. #8

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    Re: Photographing smoke

    Those current air tubes are a find -- on the various online sampling catalogs they sell a kit -- is that worthwhile or is it best just to buy only the tubes themselves?

  9. #9
    Greg Lockrey's Avatar
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    Re: Photographing smoke

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Fitzgerald View Post
    Dry ice?

    Jim
    Dry with strobes but the smoke does tend to hover towards the ground since it weighs more than air.
    Greg Lockrey

    Wealth is a state of mind.
    Money is just a tool.
    Happiness is pedaling +25mph on a smooth road.



  10. #10
    Downstairs
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    Re: Photographing smoke

    Quote Originally Posted by Frank Petronio View Post
    ... or is it best just to buy only the tubes themselves?
    They come in a plastic wallets of 10 tubes. Maker, Sicherheitstechnik GmbH, Germany.
    Cost an arm and a leg. Do without any other junk and use a lens puffer for bulb.
    I also use a grain of incense inside cigarettes (unpredictable), bee-keepers smoke pellets and bellows for atmosphere in small areas (good smell), and a rented fog machine for large areas. Last resort is rolled-up corrugated cardboard with a drop of olive oil but that is not what Arkady is asking.
    Remember; unless there's heat beneath the smoke it just sits there and won't rise. That means hot coffee.

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