How to make a bright photo shoot if the wedding is in early spring or late autumn, when everything around is gray and dull? You can get beautiful shots using colored smoke for your wedding. Photos with this non-standard attribute turn out interesting and fascinating. Everything will work out with a bang if you use our advice.
A photo session of the newlyweds is an important part of the celebration. Couples approach this issue very responsibly, acquiring a variety of attributes with which they can get mesmerizing shots. Smoke bombs began to be used not so long ago, but have already gained popularity among newlyweds.
What is colored smoke?
Smoke bombs, used to create unusual shots, are a device belonging to the first class of pyrotechnics. Using this attribute, beautiful special effects , widely used by photographers and videographers.
The uniqueness of the shots is achieved due to the multi-colored smoke. It comes in red, orange, green, yellow, blue, white, green, pink, etc.
Colored smoke bombs can be equipped with a special holder or without it. The device with the holder is usually in the hands of the newlyweds during shooting. Other options for pyrotechnics with multi-colored smoke are installed near the bride and groom.
Photo of a smoke bomb at a wedding in the hands of the bride and groom
In the latter case, the smoke spontaneously spreads along the ground. The photos turn out especially successful if an assistant takes part . This could be the photographer's assistant or one of the guests.
The device cannot be called technically complex. The wick is launched using a special rope built into the saber.
Equipment you will need
So, to get excellent quality photos, you will need the following equipment:
first of all, a tripod, without it you will have to work hard to get a high-quality photo;
on-camera flash;
telephoto lens, or as it is also called telephoto. It is a long focal length lens.
You may also need radio synchronizers.
Breath (or spit) of a dragon
“Dragon's Breath” is rightfully considered one of the most spectacular numbers with fire. To get high-quality photographs of this view, it is better to set the manual mode: then you can easily adjust the shutter speed and other parameters. If your camera has autofocus tracking, be sure to turn it on.
Capturing the best moment is essential when capturing this spectacle, so you must always be prepared. In order for the flames in the pictures to be natural, the ISO value is set to 800 units, and the shutter speed should be in the range of 1/200 - 1/800
To ensure that the flames in the pictures are natural, the ISO value is set to 800 units, and the shutter speed should be in the range of 1/200 - 1/800.
When adjusting your lens, try to capture enough space around the artist, since you don't know how far the Dragon will "breathe".
It is better to shoot this act with a telephoto lens from afar, so that you and the equipment are not splashed with kerosene.
Pros and cons of colored smoke
Before ordering heavy smoke for a photo shoot, we recommend that you study the positive and negative aspects of using this prop.
Posted by Colorbomba (@colorbomba) Jul 19, 2022 at 3:41 am PDT
Positive aspects include:
- colorful and unusual wedding photographs;
- safety in use - checkers do not explode or spark;
- the opportunity to hide behind the smoke the imperfections of the area in which the photo shoot is taking place.
There are also negative aspects to using props:
- the smoke has a specific pungent odor, which can adversely affect health and cause an allergic reaction;
- clothes are saturated with an unpleasant smell - after the photo shoot it will accompany you until the end of the event;
- you should not bring the saber too close to clothing - if the device is of poor quality, the fabric may become stained;
- use in windy weather will not work - the smoke will quickly dissipate.
One smoke bomb “functions” for a maximum of two minutes. On average, smoke appears and disappears in 30-60 seconds .
Photo of colored smoke at a wedding
Only a professional photographer can handle such props. But even a specialist will not be able to do anything if you purchase checkers of poor quality.
What role does the compass rose play?
There is no need to draw a vector diagram, but you will have to take into account that the behavior of a colored cloud is determined by the speed and direction of the air flow. Particularly spectacular photographs are taken in moments when calm reigns.
If the photo shoot is not at sea, the most windless places can be found in lowlands and valleys surrounded by mountains. Then the smoke will form a huge colored cloud. If the photo shoot is taking place in a windy pagoda, choose a background so that the smoke flowing in the wind is as much as possible within the boundaries of the frame. Photos using several types of colored smoke will look especially interesting.
Rules for choosing smoke bombs
Even for such things, it’s worth knowing a few basic rules for choosing :
- Never buy such things secondhand. Please contact specialized stores only.
- The seller must have a certificate of conformity for the product.
- Check the expiration date and documents for pyrotechnic equipment. Do not buy products if they are nearing their expiration date.
- It is wise to pre-test smoke bombs before the wedding. This will help you make sure that the photo props suit you, and also come up with unusual ideas for photos.
- Please read the instructions carefully before starting to use. Do not neglect safety requirements.
Colored smoke in a wedding photo
The price of high-quality colored smoke is usually higher than the market average . However, many factors depend on how well the device meets the requirements, namely:
- smoke density;
- burning duration;
- color brightness;
- whether the props will cause an allergic reaction;
- will the outfit be dyed?
Multi-colored smoke of almost any shade is available for sale. The choice of color depends not only on personal preferences, but also on the style of the wedding itself. Everything should be appropriate and harmonious.
Photo shoot in retro style
The beginning of the last century - the 20s and 30s of the XX century
Fashion of the 20s of the last century was a very controversial style with a touch of sophisticated femininity and feminism. The image of that time was a daring, extravagant, independent beauty. It was at this time that women began to receive more rights and increasingly strive to reach the same level as men, which led to changes both in their external image and in their manner of behaving in public. At this time, social events give way to noisy parties, beautiful dresses, the length of which invariably shortens from the 20th to the 29th...
Surely many recognized in these photos the style that we saw in The Great Gatsby.
The 20s is the era of Coco Chanel, who gave the fair half of humanity elegant trousers and a little black dress. Women's fashion of that time was changing rapidly.
Straight-cut dresses with low waists, thin straps, a very open back, luxurious fur boas and feather boas, beautiful lace lingerie and fishnet silk stockings appeared in the wardrobes of the first fashionistas.
Smoking and drinking alcohol have become fashionable! And this can also be reflected and used in retro photo shoots:
The following retro photo shoot uses both the girl's atmospheric costume and a retro car. Despite the fact that the details do not comply with complete historical accuracy (but this is not what we are striving for), the atmosphere of antiquity is clearly felt. And this is exactly what we will achieve in the pictures for the retro photo shoot. Sometimes we even allow ourselves to be silly and deliberately combine completely different eras, you will see this below.
In addition, in the 20s, women began to try on men's wardrobe items: white shirts, trousers and pantsuits, hats. In a sense, the gangster style is very close here.
Pumps with a small heel began to appear on the feet of lovely ladies, and some preferred shoes with a webbed clasp. The beautiful head of the fashionista was decorated with thin headbands with rhinestones and feathers, cute felt cloche hats decorated with embroidery, brooches, sparkles and feathers.
Accessories for a photo shoot in the style of the 20s
Long strings of pearls that wrapped around the charmer’s neck several times, chic ostrich fans, a thin cigarette in a long cigarette holder, elbow-length gloves, hats, boas and furs, knee-length dresses.
Twenties style hair and makeup
A short haircut a la “garçon” or wavy curls, beautifully collected with a hoop.
Makeup is a copy of movie makeup: pale skin (light powder), prominent cheekbones (pink and burgundy shades of blush), thin eyebrows drawn with a black pencil, long eyelashes (like false ones), black eyeliner, brightly defined lips (red or dark lipstick), rich eye makeup (dark matte shades of eyeshadow). Bright nail polishes.
Prototypes of images: Coco Chanel, Louise Brooks, Marlene Dietrich, Isadora Duncan, Vera Kholodnaya and others.
Five tips for a photo shoot with colored or heavy smoke
Your wedding photos will be most successful if you use our tips :
- Be sure to have an assistant when taking photographs. He will be able to hold the saber and direct the smoke in different ways to make the photos original.
- Buy props for photography with a reserve. This is necessary in case the photos don’t work out the first time.
- The photo session can also be supplemented with other accessories. Some couples dress up as fairy-tale characters or favorite characters from science fiction films.
- The shooting location should be chosen carefully. The use of smoke in some areas is prohibited.
- In windy weather nothing will work. Choose protected areas.
These simple recommendations will help you get high-quality and unusual photographs. You can make a real photo story using colored smoke or use it to film the newlyweds' first dance, as the couple did in the video:
With the help of colored and heavy smoke, incredible effectiveness and uniqueness of photographs and videos is achieved. If you want original footage and clips, then this attribute is what you need.
The best ideas for you
We've brought you some of the best colored smoke photoshoot ideas. And if you also have your own options or photo sessions that have already been conducted, we will be glad to see them in the comments.
And for those who want to buy smoke and arrange an unforgettable atmospheric photo shoot, just go to our catalog, choose the option that suits you and place an order. Neva-Salut company managers will be happy to help you choose. Contact us!
Operating principle
Multi-colored smoke, no matter how much it costs and no matter what company it is made by, works like other pyrotechnics of this type of danger. It is a plastic (metal or cardboard) cylinder of different diameters. Inside there is a pyrotechnic composition that produces smoke of different shades. After lighting the wick or pulling the upper ring, clouds of varying densities and various shades begin to burst out. The colored smoke burns for about 60-90 seconds. Each package contains detailed instructions on how colored smoke works, how to ignite it correctly and basic safety rules.
