Using smoke in your photography

Smoke is a powerful and versatile element in professional photography that can be used to create visually striking and captivating images. However, working with smoke requires a high level of skill and expertise. In this article, I will share some advanced-level tips and techniques for using smoke in professional photography.

First and foremost, it's essential to have a deep understanding of the science of smoke. Smoke behaves in a complex way, and as a professional photographer, you must have a clear understanding of its properties and how it behaves in different situations. A closed space will trap smoke and create a more intense atmosphere, while outdoors, wind and air currents will affect the movement of the smoke.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Choosing the right type of smoke is critical for achieving the desired effect. Different types of smoke produce different effects, and as a professional photographer, you must select a high-quality smoke product that is safe for use and does not produce harmful chemicals or residue. Testing different products before the shoot can give you a sense of their behavior and visual effects.

Controlling the smoke is another important consideration. To create the desired effect, you must have control over the smoke. Using fans or other airflow devices can help direct smoke in a particular direction, creating a desired look or effect. It is also essential to control the amount of smoke in the frame as too much smoke can obscure the subject or details in the image.

Photo by Mohd Zuber Saifi on Unsplash

Lighting is crucial when working with smoke. The right lighting can enhance the smoke effect, bringing it to life and creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. As a professional photographer, you must consider the color temperature of the lighting and adjust it accordingly to achieve the desired effect.

Here are some lighting setups you can experiment with in your photography:

• Backlighting: Backlighting is the most popular lighting setup for smoke photography. In this setup, the light source is positioned behind the smoke, which illuminates the smoke from behind, creating a dramatic effect. To set up backlighting, you can place your light source behind a backdrop, such as a white sheet, and position your smoke source in front of it. The light source can be a strobe, continuous light source, or natural light. You can experiment with different angles and distances to achieve the desired effect. It's essential to use a diffuser or a reflector to soften the light and avoid harsh shadows.


Photo by Marek Piwnicki on Unsplash

• Side Lighting: Side lighting is another lighting setup that works well for smoke photography. In this setup, the light source is positioned on the side of the smoke, creating shadows and highlights that give the smoke a three-dimensional look. To set up side lighting, you can place your light source on one side of the smoke and position your smoke source on the other side. You can use a softbox, a reflector, or a diffuser to control the intensity and direction of the light. You can also experiment with the angle and distance of the light source to create different effects.
• Top Lighting: Top lighting is a lighting setup where the light source is positioned directly above the smoke, illuminating the smoke from the top. This lighting setup creates a different perspective and can be used to capture unique patterns and details in the smoke. To set up top lighting, you can place your light source above the smoke source, using a diffuser or a reflector to soften the light and avoid harsh shadows.


Photo by Filip Bunkens on Unsplash

• Multiple Light Sources: Using multiple light sources can create interesting and complex lighting effects for smoke photography. You can combine backlighting, side lighting, and top lighting to create a unique and dynamic look. To set up multiple light sources, you can position your light sources at different angles and distances, using diffusers or reflectors to control the intensity and direction of the light. You can also experiment with different colors and intensities of light to add more depth and mood to your photos.

Experimenting with composition is another way to create unique and visually compelling images. Positioning the smoke in different parts of the frame can create different effects, from framing the subject to creating depth and atmosphere. Using foreground and background elements to complement the smoke can add depth and texture to the image.

Finally, enhancing the smoke effect in post-processing can take your images to the next level. Adjusting the contrast, brightness, and saturation can make the smoke more prominent and bring out details that may not be visible in the original photograph. Using filters or color grading can also create a more dramatic and moody atmosphere, adding depth and texture to the smoke.

Here are some post-processing steps you can utilize:

1. Start by opening the smoke photo you want to edit in your preferred photo editing software. Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom are popular choices for post-processing.
2. Adjust the exposure and contrast: Smoke can sometimes be difficult to see clearly, so start by adjusting the exposure and contrast to make the smoke more visible. Increase the exposure to brighten the image and bring out the details in the smoke, and adjust the contrast to enhance the contrast between the smoke and the background.
3. Adjust the color: Smoke can have different colors depending on the type of smoke used, the lighting conditions, and other factors. Adjust the color temperature, tint, and saturation to achieve the desired look. You can also experiment with color grading to create a more dramatic and moody atmosphere.
4. Apply sharpening and noise reduction: Smoke photos can sometimes appear blurry or grainy, so apply sharpening and noise reduction to enhance the details and reduce any noise or graininess in the image.
5. Dodge and burn: Use the dodge and burn tool to selectively brighten and darken areas of the smoke to create more depth and dimensionality. This can help bring out the details and create a more three-dimensional look.
6. Use layer masks: If you want to add other elements to the smoke photo, such as text or other images, use layer masks to blend them seamlessly with the smoke. This will create a more cohesive and visually appealing composition.
7. Experiment with filters: You can also experiment with various filters to add different effects to the smoke photo. For example, applying a vignette filter can create a more dramatic and moody atmosphere, while using a blur filter can create a dreamy and ethereal look.
8. Save your edited photo: Once you are happy with your edits, save the photo in a high-quality format such as JPEG or TIFF. You can also save a copy in a RAW format if you want to make further edits in the future

In conclusion, working with smoke in professional photography requires a high level of skill and expertise. However, when done correctly, smoke can be a powerful tool that can create dramatic, moody, and visually stunning images.

As a professional photographer, it's essential to have a deep understanding of the science of smoke, choose the right type of smoke, control the smoke, use the right lighting, experiment with composition, and enhance the smoke effect in post-processing. If you are interested in learning more about photography and connecting with your peers, join the largest network of professional photographers in India on Pyx Photography.