Campfire

I was looking at a photo I took the other day of some fall leaves, and I couldn't help to think that the way the leaves overlapped, it looked like flames come off of a campfire. That is the inspiration behind this image. The goal was to make a 'campfire' using the leaves as the flames. The smoke is milkweed seed. Any thoughts, or suggestions for improvements are welcome.

Here is a 2nd version. I like the back lighting on this one better.

I agree with you on #2 due to the back lighting giving the leaves a more luminous quality. If you could add more "smoke" I think that would be helpful.

Thanks for the feedback. If I have time tonight, I will add some more smoke and play around some more with this a gain.

WOW! I am so glad I joined this forum, because of creative shots like this. I agree with the last comment, #2 is much better and I would like to see more smoke, but that might jsut be nit picking. Excellent shot, thank you

I love the creativity of this photo, very nice work.

Given your title,which I suppose says something about your intention, the second one is better.

Mike, your lighting on number 2 makes is much easier to "see the fire" in that image. The milkweed smoke is a great touch, but as you add more, don't get too carried away, or I think it will become too much pretty quickly. Rather than the steel pan, I think a ring of rocks, proportionately sized for the fire, would make the image more realistic. Really like the creativity and vision you put behind this!

That second shot to me is perfect with just the right amount of smoke for the colour of the flames (leaves).

Stunning shot, just wish I'd thought of it.

Roger R.

Thanks again for all of the feedback everyone.

Ken, I did think about using a ring of rocks, but the metal pan was handy. I did set up a shot tonight using some rocks, but I'm not as happy with it as the other shot. I like the rocks better than the pan, but I like the flames better in the original. The leaves I used in the first image dried and curled up on me. I wet them down to soften them up to get them to uncurl, but all of the color washed out of them and they are now brown. Here is the best effort I was able to create tonight using a ring of rocks. Thoughts?

I agree, this fire needs to be stoked! But the rocks are a great element. I think it is time to gather some new leaves, or photoshop fire #2 into the rocks.

Mike - Not too bad I think, getting there, starting to resemble a campfire. I think in the original that if the stick wasn't sitting in there that it may look more realistic. Also, perhaps if the 'smoke' was a little brighter and lighter colored. Finally, I'd prefer that the bowl wasn't touching or was so close to the bottom edge.

Scenes like these are sooooooo creative. I wish I had a little studio in my pad to make them. Maybe I'll convert my garage ..

G

Such creativity - just amazing. - Terry

Thanks again for all of the feedback everyone. I spent some time tonight playing around with this idea again. I still like the 2nd image I posted in this thread the best, as far as the 'flames' go, but like the rocks in this one better than the steel pan the original was created in.

the 2nd one and the last one. very nice!

Really cool. Great work!

I love the back light in the 2nd image. The last image is brilliant .. just need to find my marsh mellows now.

Congratulations on the pictures they are very good and I love the creativity behind them all. Keep up the great work.

Mike....this is so creative! You've also done an amazing job.

My favorite is No. 2. The lighting is brilliant!

I think the last one is also beautiful.......and it is totally different. I think you have two (very different) amazing photos here.

As I said in the Project forum - worthy of publication.

Liz