This was done with a 30 sec exposure. It took more preparation then I anticipated and even brought a tinge of anxiety because I started it at 9:00 pm, the night of challenge. two flashes were employed one behind the screen with red filter and one at right angle. This is the main light and it needed to be strong because you always want to close the lens down when painting with fire. Anyway, this light hit the opposite wall and despite the blue filter it lit up to much in the test shot. A black cloth was placed on the wall to reduce its impact and this solved the problem.
I started with a jar of water by my left foot, where the pentagram begins. I drew the star, the upright position is for white magic, upside down is black magic. The upright points to God and the inverted points to Satan. I ended right on the left foot, where I started and then drew the circle to the right all the way around and torch into the jar to douse the flame. I then picked up my flash firing gizmo, sat down and fired the units. No outside help whatsoever. I simply used the timer and while it counted down I lit the torch, turned off the main lights and assumed position.
Now, you can use a black cardboard to stop and start the fire and in basic editing this would be a must.
My wife comment was, "if a mishap, how would you explain it to the insurance company." lol
Statistics
Place: 4 out of 127 Avg (all users): 7.2897 Avg (commenters): 8.5500 Avg (participants): 7.1964 Avg (non-participants): 7.3228 Views since voting: 10848 Views during voting: 560 Votes: 214 Comments: 55 Favorites: 21 (view)
This is truly amazing...what a fantastic idea! This should have ribboned. Thanks for the explanation as well, very well thought out and executed, great job.
there is a powerful sense of depth and solemnity in this image. congratulations on your excellent placement and high score in this difficult challenge.
What an image. Well back to the drawing board with me LOL.
I look at the image, the red pulses and glows as my eye moves through the story. Just an amazingly crisp image. I still aspire to the technicals. Congrats on the top 5!
this is friggin cool, Dan!
the fire appears marvelous - definately has your "magic touch" in this photo written all over it. And as always, your idea and execution (what I lacked badly) is impressive.
Ack- you just missed it! Amazing what you do with long exposures, and this was no exception. Brilliant planning and execution. Congrats on one of your best scores ever!
Wow, this is awesome!!! Amazingly composed and executed. What a master you are at this type of photo. congratulations on 4th place. In a case like this, I really wish there were 4 ribbons! This one deserves one!
I can’t wait to see how you did it ,just guess that there is something with your left hand cause I can’t find it (a kind of disappeared ) ,and i can't identify the beginning point of the star,so waiting to learn something from you .
Bad that my membership registration will be done next week via Sweden ,your photo deserves a BIG 10 .
--Wish you the best for this challenge
Hey Dan! This is a solid shot. I love how you took the conventional pentagram and turned it 3D... having the circle lay on the floor and the star stand up really makes the shot. To bad the strings didn't work out, the curviness of the pentagram is a bit distacting.
Your pose is great. the only think i could suggest is using a incandescent filter on your flash so that you match the color of the flame. Whenever playing with fire and flash, you must do that, or else you fail to fool the viewer in thinking that the fire is illuminating you.
my goodness, this is incredible! mind wonders and is frankly boggling at how you achieved this stunning gorgeous mad photograph. technically is without flaws; and there is so much to appreciate from this. the fire is obviously striking, but so is the red background glow, and the serene monk-like posture of your guy. this gets a 10, easily.
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