Fire painting is a photographic lighting technique using fire as a light source. The term fire painting also encompasses images lit from outside the frame using fire sources.
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Techniques
By moving the fire source, the fire can be used to selectively illuminate parts of the subject or to "paint" a picture by moving it around the subject the camera lens. Fire Painting requires a slow shutter speed, usually a second or more. Alternatively shooting fire to capture its unique texture and shape requires very fast shutter speed, normally 1000th of a second.
Equipment
Primary items required are Kevlar ropes or straps, these are then soaked in Coleman fuel or Paraffin and lit – a variety of devices can be used to hold these, ranging from metal frames to tie the straps to or long poles to hang the strap from.
A tripod is usually necessary due to the long exposure times involved. Alternatively, the camera may be placed on or braced against a table or other solid support. A shutter release cable or self timer is generally employed in order to minimize camera shake.
Primary items required.