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How to photograph smoke

Capturing lines and patterns of smoke rising into the air in a photograph will yield interesting results. With the proper tools and settings you can begin to experiment with smoke in your pictures. Instructions Difficulty: Moderate Things You'll Need Camera with adjustable shutter and aperture Flash (external of attached) Studio lighting (lamps) Black backdrop (dark black bed sheet, poster board) Large incense sticks Steps 1 Step One Choose a quiet calm room to take your pictures in. You do not want any wind blowing through your scene unless it is you that blows it. 2 Step Two  Click to enlarge Hang your black backdrop on a wall behind the area you are going to have the smoke rising from. 3 Step Three  Click to enlarge Then arrange your studio lighting so that it shines toward the backdrop and covers the entire area. 4 Step Four  Click to enlarge Set your shutter to a fast setting in order to freeze the smoke in action. Start with 1/250 as your shutter's speed. 5 Step Five  Click to enlarge Then set you aperture to a high number such as f/8 to f/16. This will make the aperture smaller to help the smoke appear more crisp and focused in the picture. 6 Step Six  Click to enlarge Light your incense and place it slightly close to and below the camera. 7 Step Seven Look into your viewfinder to see the smoke rising into your frame and adjust the focus so the smoke appears clearly and the background remains all black. 8 Step Eight Now take your pictures.