Flying sparks

Heya,

If I want to properly record the sparks that fly when a man slices metal, where would the best position for the flash be? Side lighting?

TIA

The sparks themselves would be the light source - trying to light them would defeat the object of the exercise. Any lighting you add should be in terms of lighting the man rather than the sparks - with emphasis on the sparks as the main subject so it is that which will control your shutter speed.

The main thing to beware of is ghosting where your shutter controlled exposure for the sparks is so long that it also shows any movement of the man. Any flash exposure for the man would overlay this ambient exposure and give the ghost effect.

http://chrisgarrisonph​otography.blogspot.com …d-scenes-pat-panakos.html

and the video

https://vimeo.com/7045​8825

OIC. I was thinking of treating them like smoke or dust. Thanks for the advice and link.

Use available light like this.

^^^^ that works unless the photographer wants detail in the highlights --sparks and flame area-- as well as detail in the surroundings.

As the video shows, can require a creative lighting scheme to balance all the elements.

I know it's grinding not cutting but these were just taken using natural light in a pretty grimy dark workshop.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/chimpsinties/8​754507811/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/chimpsinties/8​755629478/