need to ask advice on smoke photos

[Compact Diss]

I tried unsuccesssfully to get a smoke photo like we see here on the forum.

How is everyone who does this getting the smoke in focus?

I have all the equipment but trying to focus and hold the flash, well the camera would not get it right (more like me)

Are you using a tripod to maintain the foucs?

any help is appreciated

Thanks-

Joe

[Dream Merchant]

My guess is, use your lens on manual focus and pre-set it to the distanc you'll be workin that smoke. Select apeture to ensure that you have enough DOF.

Since most smoke shots happen only in a room with very still air, I would also consider using some kind of remote to trigger the shutter.

Tripod would definitely help, but not so much for focusing issues. More to ensure that you don't have to move around unnecessarily and can concentrate solely on the smoke.

Hope this helps.

CHEERS!

[Compact Diss]

Thank You very much, will make some new attempts tonight.

Joe

[Dream Merchant]

You're most welcome Joe.

Im no smoke expert, but if I wanted to shoot smoke, that's how I would approach the cam set-up first.

Do let us know how it works out.

CHEERS!

[Compact Diss]

You know it's working! The tripod made a difference for me, either that or I just needed to ask.

OK, here is anohter one..people say they "mirror" the image in PS.
I do not know how to "mirror" images, can anyone help-promise, that's my last question...

Joe

[Dream Merchant]

You tried it already? Wow! That was fast!

OK, again, the disclaimer that I am no photoshop expert (believe me when I say this), but i would imagine copying the image in a seperate file, then flipping it.

Go to Image - Rotate Image - Flip Horizontally or Vertically and 'save as' a seperate file name. Then open the original image, create a canvas double the size of the original and drag the flipped image into it. I think...

[jwkramer]

Joe,
how's your smoke shooting going? I have done some of this myself... you can check out a few of my shots here: http://www.pbase.com/jwkramer61/smoke

If you still have questions... I'd be more than glad to help in any way I can...

-JK