I NEED SPARKS!

Hi, I have a shoot in a smash repair shop in 2 weeks time. I really want to have a stack of sparks flying up behind the model by a grinder. I'm told that different metals produce different volumes and intensity of sparks.

Is this true and what metal should I grind to get the best results photographically?


Thanks in advance.

John C.

They don't need to be from grinding metal. You just have to be able to convince people that they are. The safest method is probably something like a sparkler if they have those in Australia.

One thing to be cautious of: Sparks from a grinding wheel (and probably from other sources) will embed themselves into glass. You'd be well advised to use a polycarbonate sheet as a barrier between the camera and the flying sparks (as long as you can control any reflections on the plastic).

One would think the sparks would create more havoc with the plastic than with the glass, but the the exact opposite is true. Personal experience and experimentation has proven this to me.

Yes, no close WA shots, unless you do that. Easier is just get a few feet back.

Test. I think you'll get best results with steel based metals than soft ones like copper & brass. If you have an industrial area nearby, you can probably get some exotic scrap there. Try transmission or rear end gears.
The angle the metal is held to the grinder & pressure used will make a big difference.

Yes ferrous metals only i.e. iron. There should be plenty of cheap iron laying around. Luckily the sparks will follow, to some degree, the rotational plane of the grinding wheel. They will fly all over but it can be controlled a little. Keep the model 15' from the sparks and they should be fine. Use a zoom to compress the scene and make it appear that she is closer. Also adjust your shutter speed to get different trail affects with the sparks.

Easy John, I'm here.
Sorry I just couldn't resist.
Would it be possible to add the sparks later? Maybe in a photoshop layer?
You could shoot the model first and then set up later in the same spot with the appropriate safety gear in place? Just a thought. Less hassle and stress on both you and the model and you would have all day to get the shower of sparks you need.
Again sorry about butting in. The title of the thread tickled me a bit.
Sparky (Yep that is what my friends call me)

Thanks for the good feedback. I didnt intend on getting myself nor the model near the sparks. I was hoping to use a long lens and make it look like she is close by.

And I'll try and find some iron.

Thanks again.

John C.

p.s. David, if my last name was Sparks I would have jumped in too.

If your shooting style allows for a tripod you only need one good sparks shot from each camera position. I would shoot without the model and get the best sparks you can. Bring in the model and you can shoot in peace and quiet. The images can be combined in photoshop very easily.

This is probably (hopefully ) more detailed than you wanted to go but:

http://ieeexplore.ieee​.org/iel2/3225/9175/00​409712.pdf

on page 2, Table 1 has what looks like all you'd need to specifically tailor the exact sparks you want (by using the right metal)

just wanted to be sure you know not to try to get sparks from a non ferous metal like aluminum copper or brass. the danger is not in the sparks, it is in the material loading onto the grinder and creating an out of balance situation that could result in a rapid explosion of the wheel. Unless you have access to something better, just ask the proprietors of the shop for some scrap iron. If that doesn't come through, stop by a local auto parts store and buy some cheapo screwdrivers to grind away. the high carbon steel will spark like mad, but the best part is you will have a nice handle to hang onto. Have fun and don't get too close!

In all honesty Stocky might be on to it. Perhaps small firework "cones" could work and could be easier to work with. They do come in different sizes and you wouldn't have to worry about small pieces of metal flying around. Plus you could somewhat control where the sparks fly so to speak. No pun intended. Also would cut the nerve racking noise of a grinder driving everyone nuts out.
Sparky

This guy is using a cutting torch, but I don't expect that you could get this effect with pyro:
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That's true Frank and a cool shot. I was just thinking it might be a booger to getting someone with a grinder and the model all lined up while yelling over the noise. You know, the sparks look great, but the model didn't smile type thing. Just thinking out loud.
Sparky

breal101 wrote in post #5728406
If your shooting style allows for a tripod you only need one good sparks shot from each camera position. I would shoot without the model and get the best sparks you can. Bring in the model and you can shoot in peace and quiet. The images can be combined in photoshop very easily.

I will be using a tripod so this sounds like a great idea. I'll get all the sparks shots then be able to talk to the model. Best of both worlds.


Thanks everyone for great informative info.

See here: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=511918