Bonfire!!

[dsat]

I had taken this pic of a bonfire on a recent trip. Is there a better way to take a pic of a bonfire? These are the settings i used:
Camera: Canon SX10IS
Fstop: 1/3.2
Shutter speed: 1 sec
ISO-250

Any help would be greatly appreciated! thanks!

[3Turner]

Perhaps increase the shutter speed. It appears that the 1 second shutter speed gave you blown out highlights in the hottest part of the fire. Try somthing like 1/25...you may not get as many of those embers flying around like in this shot though. Like this shot btw.

[dsat]

Thanks robert!! :) yes... i figured i wouldn't get the embers flying if i increased the shutter speed... though i may have got the fire more clearly... should try this the next time though!

[rambo7]

Personally i like the shot if you just crop the base of the fire out. Make it more abstract.

[clifgriffin]

My only complaint is that is a bit hard to tell what is being photographed. The bottom of the photo is pitch black and transitions into blown out highlights which transitions to beautiful sparks. Overall I just find it difficult to look at very long because my eyes don't know where to settle.

I'd prefer a crop of just the flying sparks.

[dsat]

hey Rambo7 and clifgriffin... thanks for your suggestions... :)
Is this better??

[rambo7]

Now that I like very abstract and interesting...clifgriffin is right you can't tell what is being photographed but it sure is a fun image.

[philmar]

tripod would have helped - the ember trails would be clear/sharper

The above crop is fantastic

[dsat]

Thanks rambo7 and philmar... yes, a tripod would've helped... unfortunately didn't have one at at that time! :(