Smoke photography 15 examples smoke photography art

Smoke Photography (also known as smoke art)

This morning while browsing through Digital Camera Photographer of the Year 2008 awards, I was in awe of a smoke photograph that immediately took my eye. The image (shown below) won a highly commended in the creative vision section.

The smoke photograph below titled Monroe was photographed by Parc Cruz. It was shot with a Canon 350D camera + Canon 100 mm lens.

smoke photography

It wasn’t long before I was searching for other photographers who use smoke to explore their creative sides. Listed below are 15 stunning smoke photographs that will literally take your breath away. At the end of the examples, you’ll find a useful YouTube video for those looking for information on how to photograph smoke, or how to create smoke art, as it’s also known.

15 Inspirational examples of smoke photography / smoke art

  1. Photographer – M. Alberich MathewsUn a Été Rejeté
  2. Photographer – Sharlene ShappartEggcellent timing
  3. Photographer – Beat KuengDarklord (Smoke "Art")
  4. Photographer – Suyog Gaidhani Smoke | Runner
  5. Photographer – FejoArt of Smoke
  6. Photographer – Sharlene Shappart Smoke and Mirrors
  7. Photographer – David PearsonSmoke Photos
  8. Photographer – Eric HoSmoke Trail Art, Singapore
  9. Photographer – April Skyxsmoke photography example
  10. Photographer – carnagex2000 Smoke Trails
  11. Photographer – magicnikon
    smokey-6
  12. Photographer – Irene Mullerexample of smoke photography
  13. Photographer – Mehmet Ozgur example of smoke art
  14. Photographer – CowGummytulip
  15. Photographer – Per Zangenbergsmoke art example


Tutorial – How to photograph smoke / How to create smoke art

In the video tutorial below, Terry Watson shows his technique for doing Smoke Photography.

What I like about the video above, is that Terry explains the post production steps he does using Photoshop, to create his smoke art. I found this particularly useful.

Posted in Inspirational Photography at February 16th, 2009. 3 Comments.

Photographing reflections 25 inspirational examples

25 Awe Inspiring Photographs with Reflections

If your anything like me, you often shoot a few photographs, only to discover later on that there was a beautiful reflection to be seen within the scenery. For example, this usually happens with clouds hovering overhead. Sometimes the naked eye doesn’t always see the cloud’s reflection in the water until you look on your camera’s back LCD screen. It’s then you think to yourself, ‘WOW look at that reflection’.

As photographers, if we train ourselves to look for reflections to begin with, it can lead to beautiful imagery, as you’ll soon see in the 25 reflective photographs below. Water, glass and shiny surfaces like metal can all be used for reflective purposes. Sometimes physically rotating yourself around the object or scene you are photographing, can result in stronger reflections than first seen. Also try focussing your camera on the reflection itself instead of the object. That is exactly what I did for the image below:

example of reflective photography

Now for the 25 inspirational examples. Each reflective photograph shown below is linked back to the original image, where you can view the larger photo or check out other works the photographers have done. They are listed in no particular order.


Photos with reflections

1. Photographer – Kane

I like the mix of darkness and light within both the landscape and its reflection.
Lost in space

2. Photographer – annamir

I like the golden colors and perfect mirror image seen in the reflection of this photograph shown below.

HDR#05 - Ketenangan Abadi?

3. Photographer – Josh Sommers

I found this reflection in the kettle comical. It also demonstrates how creative you can be with your photography with a little imagination. Even on a rainy day :)

A Watched Pot

4. Photographer – Evan Leeson

This is another creative shot shown below. Goes to show you shouldn’t only look to photograph the obvious. Reflections and photo opportunities are everywhere!

pausing for a moment of reflection

5. Photographer – Badrul Anuar

Night shots across water often result in the most beautiful reflective photography opportunities. Especially on still nights.

PutrajayaBridge reflection ver 1.0

6. Photographer – Rick

I first took notice of this photograph 6 months back, so sought it out again for this post. Got to love that sunset reflection seen in the guitar.

YER BLUES

7. Photographer – Michael

Most photographers carry a pair of sunglasses with them right?

Sunset Reflections

8. Photographer – Liel Bomberg

I really like the clarity of the image shown below. See what the eye is seeing.

Looking At The Future

9. Photographer – MorBCN

I am a huge fan of both reflective photography and HDR. So when the two are mixed, fantastic!

Zuiderkerk

10. Photographer – MorBCN

I really like how this one looks to be almost like a painting.

Reflections of Amsterdam

11. Photographer – John Hodgkin

I love the touch of red colour in this one.

HDR Midweek Reflections

12. Photographer – Jean-Michel Priaux

Wow, the orange color and perfect reflection is what first drew me to this photograph.

Pop-Art

13. Photographer – Giovanni Orlando

Waterdrops often hold a perfect opportunity for reflective photography, as the image below demonstrates.

I'm so tired of these droplets...

14. Photographer – Chiara

A hint of what is seen within the streets, is shown in this reflection. To me, this is storytelling at its best.

Sydney in una pozzanghera

15. Photographer – Denis Collette

One of my all time favorite photographers on Flickr. I couldn’t do a post on reflective photography without including one from Denis Collette.

My Wild Arts Bridge/Mon Pont des Arts!!! :)))

16. Photographer – Francesca Birini

A simple, yet effective reflection, as seen through a wine glass.

Upside Down Snowball

17. Photographer – Eric Wyllie

This one really blew me away. It has the best of everything, reflections, sunlight, and a slight hint of morning mist. What a perfect moment to capture.

Mistycal Morning

18. Photographer – Eva

What did I say earlier about cloudy days being good for reflections across water :) Perfect example!

landscape cinema

19. Photographer – Wendell

What is reflection, and what is real?

Flooded Stream Reflections

20. Photographer – Chris Stevens

Must of been a perfectly calm morning the day Chris shot this one! Another good example of when a cloudy day can be a wonderful thing.

Mopanui Reflection Landscape

21. Photographer – Philippe Sainte-Laudy

Philippe is a true artist. Be sure to check his other photographs. You could literally spend hours looking through them in amazement.

The House on the Lake

22. Photographer – Garry

This is one of those images you wish you’d have photographed yourself.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

23. Photographer – Ken Douglas

A photograph that consists of only the reflection itself.

Bryggen reflection

24. Photographer – Mohamed Majid

I really like the mix of blues and yellows in this photograph. Likewise, the colors balance perfectly within the reflection as well.

Evening reflection

25. Photographer – Tanya Puntti

This last one, photographed by yours truely :) was included as an example of mirror reflections.

Exit

Hope you enjoyed this collection of reflective photographs. If you have any tips on how to make the best use of reflections within your photography, feel free to share them along with your comments.

Posted in Inspirational Photography at February 8th, 2009. 2 Comments.

Blog – Photography equipment and camera reviews

Photography equipment and camera reviews will now stay on its own blog

When we first started this web site, we originally had ‘Digital SLR Cameras and Gear‘ category over on it’s own blog at: SLR Equipment Reviews

We’ve since started a second blog that includes all things photography, not just reviews. Hence reviews will now continue here on this blog.

Listed below is a run down on posts written so far from both blogs:

AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens review

Nikon’s AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED macro lens is a quality piece of glass that results in extremely sharp photographs. With a reproduction ratio of up to 1:1, it is considered a real macro lens ….. Full AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G lens review

Review Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens

The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens was the second telephoto zoom I had purchased, after not being happy with the cheaper Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM that I bought earlier. You know what they say, buy cheap, buy twice ….. Full Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens review

Review Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM wide angle lens

The Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens is by far, a favorite (non L) all round lens. If you’re out on a photography trip and only have room for one lens, this is the one to take ….. Full Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens review

Review Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 macro lens sweet spot tips

I purchased this lens early on in my photography experience and am glad I had a shop assistant who pointed me in the right direction. As it’s turned out, I couldn’t be more happier with the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens. Especially when it comes to photographing small objects, insects and flowers ….. Full Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 macro lens review

Digital Optic closeup macro filters, insect flower photography

Digital Optic close up filters are a brand often seen on ebay. Close up or macro as they are also known, are filters that magnify the subject +1, +2, +4 or +10 times its original size. Like all filters, they are screwed onto any digital SLR lens and are compatible with a wide range of camera brands including Nikon, Canon, Fuji, Olympus, Kodak and many others ….. Full review on Digital Optic closeup filters

Digital Optic 3x telephoto conversion camera lens

My photography partner purchased this lens attachment off ebay, thinking it was worth a try since it was cheaper in cost than buying a 400mm lens to go with his Nikon D40 SLR camera. The box also says it’s compatible with Sony, Panasonic, JVC, Hitachi, Canon, Pentax, Fuji, Samsung, Kodak and Olympus digital cameras.

In theory it looked great, promising you can zoom right in on objects from quite a long distance away. However, after a couple of days, shooting all types of photographs with it, here is what he had to say about the telephoto conversion lens ….. Read Full Review

Review Canon 17-40mm f4 L lens example photographs supplied

Canon 17-40mm f4 L lens, non technical review, from a personal
photographers perspective. The Canon 17-40mm f4 L is an extremely
sharp, wide angle lens, perfect in particular for landscape photography
or in tight areas where you have limited space. Many example
photographs provided ….. Full Canon 17-40mm f4 L lens review

Nikon D300 video review

Nikon D300 digital SLR camera review The Nikon D300 is a
semi-professional SLR camera for the serious amateur. The quality and
price range is somewhere between the cheap entry level camera’s (Nikon
D40x) and the more expensive professional models like D2Hs or D2Xs. For
a Nikon D300 you can expect to pay around $1800 for the body only. If
you’re after key features and specifications, you can already find this
information on the Nikon website (and hundreds of other review ….. Full Nikon D300 review

Canon EOS 450D Rebel XSi improvements from 400D

Canon EOS 450D / Rebel XSi digital camera. So far, the new Canon EOS
D450 (EOS Rebel XSi) due out around April this year looks like it will
be a popular choice for many new photographers or those wanting to
upgrade from earlier models. What are the improvements made to Canon’s
new digital EOS 450D (also called Rebel XSi), when compared to it’s
predecessor 400D / XTi ….. Full Canon EOS 450D Rebel XSi review

Posted in Reviews - DSLR camera, lenses, tools at February 7th, 2009. 1 Comment.