Epic Fail?

[daq7]

I wanted to get more detail and texture out of the smoke, but I am mystified as to how to do it. My guess is that a strong light fired across the smoke but not hitting my face might work. Not easy to pull off, but maybe that isn't even the way to do it.

[Shebang]

I tried to shoot candle smoke for a class project. It was hard. I read that you had to have good light on the smoke. I also read that incense smoke is easier to photograph but I didn't try that. The smoke here looks more like funky light or the funky light looks more like smoke. Good effort but, as you said, more definition in the smoke would be better. I surely do appreciate your determination and willingness to experiment.

[daq7]

Yes, the smoke is mostly smoke, but I had to manipulate it to even make it vaguely visible, so it looks very fake.

[BlueRob]

Nop not a fail but a good exercise. To capture smoke I assume a low shutter speed plus good light will do the trick.
The concept is really good but the framing is a bit tight...I think this same shot shooting further away from the hand will look better.
The light or its location is good...give a nice set of shadows and highlight ( you know I like those) but the image seems rather flat and out of focus...more crispness will definitely improve the scene here.

[MarcusK]

Not epic nor fail... but a good try for sure....

It might have to do with me only... but I see the image with an overall red tint... not necessarily working for me...

As for the smoke, there are a couple of things to keep in mind...

1- If you just want to expose for the overall photo, it will be very difficult to get the smoke, when it so close to the subject...

2- for smoke to come out, it needs to be contrasted against it's background, which is why you need to light it separately when it is close to the subject...

3- When the smoke is a bit far from the subject, you just need to have it close to the light source...

A good way of shooting smoke is to experiment with just smoke.. and see what light gives you the result you are looking for... just place the cigar in an ashtray, or maybe a cigarette would be better, as it would stay lit for longer... and shoot with different light set ups...

Nice mood though... I like it!