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.
Get creative with steel wool burning photos to make them even more interesting. Spin in different ways – spinning over your head, horizontal, figure-eight patterns can all make varying looks to the images and send the sparks flying out in different directions for cool new images.
Steel Wool Photography is using long exposures to capture the motion of hot embers flying through the air through the act of spinning burning steel wool. These embers are so hot that they glow very brightly, and as they fly through the air the camera sensor captures the streaks of light created.
Shutter speed is probably the most important aspect of the shot. Capture enough of the movement to show the streaking lights caused by the flying sparks. Choose an aperture that keeps the entire scene in focus. Keeping your ISO low will keep you from blowing out the brightness of the steel wool when it is lit.
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.
