Photon Loc: Boston MA

This is the story of a photographer that set out to get some photos of burning steel wool because I - um I mean he saw them and thought they were cool. Ok so full disclosure I'm the guy. Here's what happened. I set out for a cold dark night in Gloucester MA and after researching the perfect conditions for a particular spot I headed out on a clear and cold night. This location was out in the middle of a rocky area that is not easy to get to- so it had to be low tide, and cold enough for ocean salt water to be frozen so I could walk to an inlet of rocks with fun angles and formations. This night was just perfect but cold -around -3 F. It was windless which is rare on the ocean but a huge plus. I got setup and my model was getting ready to light up the steel wool and swing it around for me. I took a test shot that was a bit blurry so I was adjusting the focus in the pitch blackness of night and I let go of the camera for a split second when a rogue wind (not wave thank goodness) came up and blew over my camera tipping over the tripod and hitting on some solid rocks. I thought it was ok but alas no the mirror was dislodged and my next shot was just a blue blur of nothing.

I got my camera repaired (Nikon D600) and learned a lesson in extra care and diligence- and insurance needs- but more importantly I felt like I was on pause not getting any results from that shoot. I got my camera back a few weeks ago and just the other night there was a crescent moon on a cold night, during low tide, with clear skies and so I set out to finish what I started. I put up three shots- the first was my test shot that was blurry, the second is the blue blurb image that I stare at endlessly because it means so much to me-in terms of learning from my mistakes, and finally one of the images from the other night where I got my steel wool flaming shots over snow and ice. Thanks for reading :)

Test Shot- needed to fix Focus a bit


Blue Screen of Death- Camera Style


Ah yes I got my shot done- I can move on now.


Another shot from the same shoot


Another from the same shoot. SO Happy I got this out of my system :)

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Photon Loc: Boston MA

Thanks but nothing new there that I am not already doing. The main part for me was not to smash my camera on the rocks this time :)

GTinSoCal Loc: Palmdale, CA

Now, THAT'S good advice :mrgreen:

GT

Photon Loc: Boston MA

I still have nightmares where all of my equipment just slips out of my hands and breaks into lots of pieces. PTSD or sorts... :)

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

The link is not for you, but for any reader interested in replicating your time-exposure results.

Photon Loc: Boston MA

Gotcha- that makes sense.

GTinSoCal Loc: Palmdale, CA

I envy you :mrgreen:

The middle of the desert is not the best place for open flame :-D

Great job, maybe wait till it warms up a bit do some more!!!

GT

w345 Loc: Tri-city, TN

the shot w/the moon POPS!! Well done.

dickparkans Loc: Arizona

GREAT shot!!!!