Anna Loc: Lexington Park, So. MD

That was my first thought :)

SilverfoxDojn Loc: Long Beach Island, NJ

Good point and I was thinking , it is Africa after all, and you could be in the big pot over the campfire. Might be close enough for a macro shot.

RaydancePhoto

I have taken a lot of campfire shots, you do have to experiment. I did a shot a few weeks ago in my backyard, the exposure was 30 seconds @ f/8 (I think) it was after dusk, but not quite dark. I put myself in the shot (it is hard to sit perfectly still for 30 sec) and was lit by the file only. The colors were way off due to the red/Or from the fire, but was able to fix in post. I will post the pic if you want.

CSI Dave Loc: Arizona

Here's a more advanced method that can work quite well, but it takes some practice to dial in and a little extra equipment, which I'm not sure if you have yet:

You'll need a speedlite, preferably with wireless capability.
The XSi doesn't support wireless flash out of the box, but you may be able to pick up a cheap transmitter. (You'll have to research this, since I do not have this camera - mine has built-in wireless flash control.)

Place a warming gel (orange/amber color) over the speedlite, you want to match the flash output color with the campfire glow. You can pick up sheets of these gels really cheap at a craft store, usually comes in a variety of colors.

Place the speedlite low and angled up towards the faces of the campers, so that it mimics the direction of light from the campfire.

You'll want to dial back the power of the speedlite to pretty low output, something like 1/64th or even 1/128. This is where the experimentation comes in. TTL settings work ok, you could also dial in manual exposure settings.

Try to hide the flash behind an object, such as a log or rock, so that the source is hidden from the camera.

With a little practice, you will be able to adjust the flash output to enhance the campfire light while still looking very natural.

Margo Loc: Clearwater Florida

Sure - post away! I am amazed at all the responses! My goal will be one perfect (or close to it) pic (out of the 4000i take near the fire) and to stay out of the pot over the campfire! :shock:

RaydancePhoto

30 second exposure f/8 I think, lost the data. put myself in shot, sit real still for 30 sec.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Here's one of Janny sitting by the fire. I was just goofing around. This was hand held, she don't sit still real good. :)
Erv

F3.5 SS 1 sec. ISO 800

Kenny Loc: Oregon

Shoot in raw format so you can save images you though are lost.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Margo, do you want a picture of the fire or the folks around it? I have a lot of just the fire. We set out a lot in the back yard. A fire is great to shoot and fun to see the different designs you get.
Erv

Margo Loc: Clearwater Florida

I am looking for shots similar to Erv's. A fire glow on faces. Yes, some with fire in the picture also of course.
But sure do not picture anyone sitting still!

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

That is going to be a tough one! You can see janny was talking to me in the shot and just doing that it looks blurry. About the only way to get a shot with folks moving around might be a real low out put on a flash. You got me on this one. If it was nicer out I would go try it for you.
Erv

Margo Loc: Clearwater Florida

Thanks for all your help.

When I figure this out I will bring back for all!

CSI Dave Loc: Arizona

Yes, I'm quoting myself here, just want to clarify with some examples what I was talking about. [This is the first time I've tried to post pictures, so hopefully I won't screw it up.

Here are some images I was experimenting with to achieve the 'campfire' effect the OP was asking about. First, my fireplace with ambient light, no flash. The glow of the tree is the predominant lighting in this one. The next has the same settings (Nikon D300 w/ 35mm f/1.8, set to f/7.1, 1.0 sec, remote flash mode, SB600 flash with warming gel set near the hearth of the fireplace) Notice that the source of the light in the "with flash" picture takes on more of the glow of the flames, rather than the tree lights.

All were shot in RAW, converted to JPEG in Photoshop with no post processing.

No flash #1, f/7.1 @ 1.0s


With remote flash, f/7.1 @ 1.0s

CSI Dave Loc: Arizona

And two more...one using ambient light, the other using remote flash. This time, both shot with Sigma 10-20mm lens, f/5.6 @ 0.6s

No flash


With remote flash

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Very nice Dave!! Now I have to go make a fire and try it. :-D
Erv