This, in combination with a long exposure, creates a wildly unusual picture. Take a wad of steel wool, pull the strands apart (to let the air in) and stuff it inside the whisk. This is the basis for the thermite reaction, but it's even easier to burn a metal when it has a lot of surface area. Steel Wool Photography is using long exposures to capture the motion of hot embers flying through the air through the act of spinning burning steel wool.

So, we’ve put together some tips to help you achieve those steel-wool spun shots — the kind that light-filled dreams are made of. To create fire rain you need some steel wool, a whisk, long chains to secure the burning steel wool as you spin it, and the usual long exposure tools. Experiment; There are different techniques that you can use when spinning the burning steel wool. While the steel wool won’t exactly burn like a piece of paper, twirling it in the air will cause sparks to fly all around. Fluffing it up a little before inserting it will produce the best sparks. Steel wool is made up of very fine steel strands.

It is normal for sparks to fly out of the cage while spinning.

Steel wool can be sharp. Place the steel wool inside the whisk packing it not too tight as it needs air to burn properly.

The steel wool spinning technique is very simple (and a lot of fun). Steel wool, like all metals, burns when enough energy is supplied. Light the steel wool and start spinning! This is a selection where I've narrowly avoided burning myself due to centrifugal force! Once the wool is lit on fire, and you start by spinning the wool in a small arc, I walk towards the camera slowly and let some cable through to lengthen the diameter of the loop. This is what you (or your helper) will be spinning. Fire Spinning With Steel Wool We've all seen those glorious images of spun fire with orange streaks and bouncing sparks. These embers are so hot that they glow very brightly, and as they fly through the air the camera sensor captures the streaks of light created. Simply stuff the steel wool inside the whisk (I use masking tape to hold it in place), set it alight with the cigarette lighter, and get your helper to whirl it around in a circular motion. Ever wondered how it's done? Tip 1: The Equipment . To put it simply, it goes something like this: when you light steel wool on fire and spin it around, the sparks fly off.

Steel wool is commonly used to remove paint, lacquer and polish metals. Fire is dangerous, so exercise all due caution with these techniques. I think maybe all lightpainters at one time or another go through a phase of setting alight and spinning a ball of steel wool in the dark. This is dangerous. In the picture below, I walked forward less than 10 feet. Steel wool is usually made from low-grade carbon steel but can be made of other materials such as aluminum or stainless steel. your own Pins on Pinterest

You’ll also need a brave model to stand under the fire rain. The steel wool will burn for about 20 seconds, so you need to be ready to take those shots. Here I've spun a small firework on a drill and lit up the cool graffiti: How to do it. The burning material can be very dangerous. It's very hot and will burn you, your clothes and your surroundings. Use protective clothing that covers your skin. Wear protective gloves to save your hands from getting cut while handling the steel wool. The very first spark from the firesteel causes the steel wool to ignite. If you’re lucky, you may get 2-3 shots in before the fire burns outs completely.

I’m not responsible if you burn yourself or set something alight! Note: We are very careful how we hold the steel wool as we blow.