Fun with lightbulbs

[dxbtiger]

In an attempt to use the camera here in the summer months as shooting outdoors in sandy, humid conditions is crap, myself and a mate got medieval on some lightbulbs.

First time I have tried anything like this, reasonable please with the results, c+c welcomed.


Bulb by thisisrobbo, on Flickr


Bulb by thisisrobbo, on Flickr


Bulb by thisisrobbo, on Flickr


Bulb by thisisrobbo, on Flickr


Bulb by thisisrobbo, on Flickr


Bulb by thisisrobbo, on Flickr


Bulb by thisisrobbo, on Flickr

Edited by dxbtiger on Thursday 21st June 20:47

[Vieste]

Very good.

[gingerpaul]

Looks interesting! What are you using as a trigger?

[dxbtiger]

gingerpaul said:

Looks interesting! What are you using as a trigger?

Continuous shots via wired remote, set it firing and then flick the switch on the lamp.

[checkmate91]

How are you breaking the bulbs and did you include any fill-in light?

I've captured images of filaments in bulbs in the past simply by spot-metering but yours have another dimension to them...

[Simpo Two]

Intriguing!

[dxbtiger]

checkmate91 said:

How are you breaking the bulbs and did you include any fill-in light?

I've captured images of filaments in bulbs in the past simply by spot-metering but yours have another dimension to them...

Candle round the base, then wrapped quickly with a damp cloth, enough to crack the glass then it can be eased off.

The ones with the bulb partially intact was from a gas lighter, a Ronsonesque type on one spot then dunked in a glass of water.

We had a 100% success rate in terms of keeping the filament intact.

Fill light used on some yes although it made no difference really apart from making the smoke ever so slightly more visible. Really not necessary imo. We had the lights on in the room as well, more to help with focusing than anything else.

I used a 50 1.8, mate was using a 105mm macro.

[checkmate91]

Thanks, I had an idea that you'd mention the damp cloth approach. Like the gas lighter spot stress technique, I have a turboflame lighter which should do the tick.

Thanks again, enjoyed the images.

[K12beano]

Reminiscent of a classic image taken many (50, 60 or more) years ago that I remember revering as a kid. The broken bulb with the filament still burning. I used to think that was magic and always wanted to recreate "impossible" images like that.

The magic has sort of gone with Photochoppery at your fingertips, so it's refreshing to see it done "properly".

[Fordo]

Fantastic photos, really like them.


I'm doing a series of super slow mo demo reel shots in a few weeks at work, with a new camera- hope you don't mind, but you've inspired me to try similar!

[dxbtiger]

Thanks for the feedback chaps.

Yes it was done 'properly' my photoshoppery skills allow nothing less!

Would be great to see your results Fordo, feel free to add them to this thread.