Adding a Model to Burning Wool Images

In the world of photography, steel wool probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Who would have thought that such amazing images could come from burning the metal sponge we use to clean our pots? Adding a model and showering them with sparks adds to the creativity.

Surrounded by Burning Wool Sparks
Showered by Burning Wool

Photographing Burning Wool

Steel wool photography is a type of light painting that uses steel wool that’s been set on fire. As the burning steel wool is spun around on a cord or a string, embers fly and create streaks of light when shot with a camera at slow shutter speeds.

Our Catawba Valley Camera Club in Hickory, NC had a session on photographing burning wool. It was an interesting project and we will be sharing a few images.

Burning Wool Foreground