Don't Doubt My Commitment to Sparkle Motion

We've been playing with Sparklers recently. Light drawing and using them for illumination. I am going to try and pick up a large amount today before the stands close.

We started out with just running around and seeing what it would look like. Some LC-A+RL test shots. Shot on Fuji MS 100/1000 multi-iso film and cross processed. Iso on camera was set at 400.

Note: all shots in this post are about 20-25 seconds long. The sparklers only last about 30 seconds and it takes 5-10 seconds to get in position and start once lit.





Some Double Exposure action here.





I took a shot on the Holga 120 at the same time as the first LC-A+ shot, to see what the lens would do. Held open manually. Also on Fuji MS 120 100/1000 multi-iso and cross processed.



Once we had an idea of what it could do, we started branching out a week later.
The Holga makes long exposures easier, so I have been using it. I wish covering the light sensor on the LC-A+ wasn't the only solution, but I might start doing more of those.

Holga 120n/ Wide Angle Lens/ Cable release/ Fuji MS 100/1000 multi-iso/ Cross Processed

I had Rickey stand in the yard and swirl his arms all around without moving from where he was standing. It created a natural sphere. I would like to do this with Sparklers on strings sometime. The additional light blurs in the center are from some light wands we tried to introduce into the shot but they didn't take. Adds something, though...
Rickey



Then it struck me! Portraits with Sparkler enhancements.

So I had Kevin sit down and we did a long exposure of sparklers creating jagged power burst-type lines. I popped a flash at the end because I didn't know how much illumination the sparklers would give off. More on that in a sec.

Kevin



We tried a few variations. All were fun and there is a lot more room for ideas.

Me



Rickey - Flash used at the end



JenJoJenJoJenJo - Flash used at the end


We tied a sparkler to a stick to get the longer reaching waves on this.

So can you illuminate someone enough with just sparkler light and a 25 sec exposure?


Yes, but it may end up being too much light. I suggest holding the sparklers at least a foot away if you aren't going to be moving them. If you are drawing frames, then the light is more easily distributed. The shot of me in a frame was taken without a flash and the even distribution of the light drawing a box is what makes it have such a nice glow. I love the lighting.

This was an accidental double exposure. One was supposed to be Jen framed and the other was her drawing a sphere. It becomes a little more abstract this way.



So I want to throw in 2 shots from my Canon SLR that I did with Sparklers. I know it's a lomo blog, but this is a little extra and its nice to have the sparks in such sharp focus sometimes. I took a lot more but I don't want to unbalance the lomo theme of the blog.

Canon EOS Rebel 2000/ 17-50mm lens/ Kodak Elite Chrome VS 100/ Cross Processed

Red and Green Sparklers burn brighter it seems and they produce more smoke. This can have a positive effect if you know how to play with it. I'm still thinking.

Kelly - used a green flash on this at the end.



And a shot I took Of Kevin and accidentally double exposed. Yes I sharpened the shot a click too much but I like the way it looks.

Kevin - Red flash at the end.



So there you go. Feel like drawing with something different than LEDs and standard flashlights? Want to use a new source of lighting that can add a strange feel? Creative portraits? All here. I hope this helps some or amuses a few. Until the next time. Keep snapping and may your eye be ever hungry.

LomoCam