How to Create Flaming Portrait Photos (The Safe Way)

[@silverlakephoto]

Great question Sam. I never light the torch without having about 3 different ways to put it out. I typically have 5 gallon bucket of water at the ready as well as a spray bottle and fire extinguisher. Those are all backup. My preferred method to extinguish the torch is with a heavy piece of canvas to simply smother the flames out. I have done it both ways. I have put it out an re-ignited multiple times, but I typically keep it burning the whole time. I have assistants help keep the fire safe.

[@silverlakephoto]

I am happy to hear that all of you enjoyed it. I can save you some time when you attempt this on your own. Fire is very bright, even in these small quantities. You will want to set your ISO for 100 or 200 and F22 in order to compensate for the light of the fire. Knowing that, meter the power of your strobes to match that exposure and you are good to go. Thanks for all the kind comments.

[@dananiemeier4217]

Tried it tonight with a senior soccer player and she loved it! At first the fire was so bright that it was all blown out! I checked everything before the shot too! The lower the flames became the better the exposure. Really a trial an error on my part. Did use the F22 and ISO 100. Used a 32x48" strip box I made with an Alien Bees strobe and a speed light for accent. Much easier to do a 3/4 length shot as well! Great video! It has really inspired me to be more creative with my photography for Seniors!

[@silverlakephoto]

Glad you liked it Dana. You are right. It takes a but if experimenting, but the results are always interesting. If you're shooting in raw, you can pull a great deal out of the flames even if the exposure is a bit off.

[@thechicmaharani28]

Such a great idea ❤❤❤

[@TrystramPA]

Travis, Brilliant idea, very VonWong meets senior photography. Will definitely be using this technique this year! Thanks for sharing it!

[@silverlakephoto]

You're welcome Darla. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@Azam_Pakistan]

Wonderful. The best video on the subject so far

[@SproutWhisperer]

What a great video! Really appreciate your emphasis on safety, and that you show us exactly what technique you use to create your images. Can't wait to try this with my friend Rachel the fire spinner!

[@tinacutright5481]

Thanks Travis!! This is wonderful. The fire is the only portion I missed at Columbus on Sept 16th. It was great meeting you, and also, thank you for showing me the backdrop attachments for the corner walls. I'm definitely going to be getting one or two of those in the near future! :)

[@thephotoboutique]

Sweet video Travis! The images from this shoot were amazing. Thanks for sharing this awesome technique.

[@silverlakephoto]

Sure thing Tina. Glad you enjoyed it. It was good talking to you in Columbus.

[@ritahill8279]

AWESOME! going to have to try this. Thank you Travis, love all your tutorials. Excellent video.

[@lionelbenjamin1667]

thanks for that will be using it in my next portrait class

[@abranchesf]

Excellent! I'll try this ASAP. Thank you.

[@silverlakephoto]

Debbie - The length of time for the exposure depends on how much fire painting you need to do. If you are just doing a single person, 3/4 length shot, 10 seconds is plenty of time. If you need to paint around a Harley or full length portrait, 20 seconds or even 30 may be needed. Since you have no ambient light, it doesn't really change your exposure much to add shutter time.

[@blessedbrume5780]

Am alittle confused on this. Pls the 10sec exposure u talked how can I see it

[@mt-nv4jd]

Very cool.

[@ayshortier]

Dude! You are BAD ASS!

[@BayouBoggie]

love it travis. this is awesome. i deff want to try this tech. i love the leather and gun. i can see guys like this too with there 4 wheelers and guns.

[@DebbieRomeyn]

Saw your comment on the ISO/Aperture ....LENGTH of exposure (approx)? I am SO doing this!

[@hannibaljim]

I will try this . thanks

[@Michaelajacksonfilms]

Thank you

[@superPetros]

I like your work. i hope i will try it soon :)

[@uktikapanbude2364]

Thankyou so much!!!

[@chuckeb]

Travis, Question.. Im doing this fire shoot tomorrow night.. what would you think of the flash last? 2nd curtain. Paint with fire first then expose your subject? Think you would get the same results ? at that point your subject wouldn't have to hold as still while you paint.. especially if there holding objects such as a sword ect.

[@silverlakephoto]

Chuck - It shouldn't make a difference when the flash is triggered. The time that your subject must maintain perfectly still is between when the fire is painted behind them and the end of the exposure. Any movement between those two events will cause a black shadow where they were when the fire was painted and no longer exist when the strobe is triggered.

[@chuckeb]

Travis Gadsby Thanks Travis! Well this was my second attempt with the fire technique.. and im learning more each time.. You do not need a lot of fire.. its much better with a smaller flame. Also I find that it looks much better to not overlap the fire in the same shot. The fire painting definitely takes practice. Hopefully this link works.. This is a shot from my shoot.. added contrast and liquified the end of the flame. Fire shoot # 3 in 2 weeks! I want to master this ! facebook.com/CharlesBrownePhotography/photos/a.774363809302333.1073741862.450651385006912/774363835968997/?type=1&theater

[@krsonethegeneral6719]

wicked

[@skyubadrumming]

Great video Travis! How do you put your torch out? (seems like a dumb question maybe, haha but I didn't know if there was a better way than another?) Do you just keep it burning the whole time you're shooting? or do you put it out and reignite it in between frames?

[@rjhphotos]

I know you shot this a long time ago but did you put any gels on your strobes or just boost the reds in photoshop. Her face has that great glow to it is why I'm asking.

[@benbroll9491]

Hello I was wondering per shoot how many rags do you go though?

[@silverlakephoto]

Very rarely more than one. It’s really the fluid burning more than the rag.

[@benbroll9491]

Travis Gadsby thanks for the reply...going to have to try this out :)

[@Jay-if9dr]

Is Tiki torch fluid the same thing that keeps mosquitoes away ?, for if so, how did you and the model go with the smell of citronella oil. Could you use like a lighter fluid or kerosene ? I enjoyed watching this vid and am also interested how you got the last image like she is blowing the flame. Keep them coming and have sub'd.

[@silverlakephoto]

Tiki torch fuel is commonly infused with citronella to keep away insects. Outdoors, the smell isn’t too strong, but you can also purchase odorless tiki fuel. Lighter fluid is far too flammable for this purpose in my opinion, but kerosene might work. I would recommend experimenting with it fist and make sure it is easy to control. The great thing about tiki fuel is that it is a very slow burn, which makes it last a long time and no singed eyebrows when you light it. :). The blowing fire was the same exact process and then just a slight liquify push in photoshop to bring the flames to her lips.

[@Jay-if9dr]

@@silverlakephoto Many thanks for replying, appreciated.

[@lorenzostheman]

There was no info about shutter speed, ISO. I did hear 10 second exposure but if I'm supposed to learn something from this video I need more INFORMATION.

[@silverlakephoto]

ISO is 100. Fstop is f22. Anything else blows out your highlights too much.

[@shadowninja911x]

Fire looked super close to her hair

[@silverlakephoto]

Looks can be deceiving. It’s not close at all. Much care is taken to keep everyone very safe.