How to do Steel Wool Photography
Here you’ll learn how to create steel wool photography in an easy way with little equipment. We’ll look at best practices, what camera settings to use and how to get those creative fire spinning effects using steel wool, a camera, the knowledge of photography, a castle and an umbrella!
This is a really fun task to do and is created using what’s called long exposures. The steel wool is lit then spun in the air. This causes oxygen to mix with the wool which in turn makes the steel spark and glow generating these lovely light trails which is the main look of steel wool photography.
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Пікірлер: 292
I’m out of words. You’re simply the best, Mark! You’re not simply an expert photographer, you’re an artist! Just keep going, you make people dream high. Thanks.
@theschoolofphotography
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks, appreciate the comments 😊
As someone who has been doing Lightpainting/wirewool spinning for a long time use '000' wirewool as it burns brighter. Also have the spinner spin the whisk to there front (nearest the camera). Also some of the best results are shot at blue hour gives a nice contrast.
@sky360aerialmedia
2 жыл бұрын
Very helpful, thank you. Is it important to strike a surface to ignite the wool? What triggers the burn best? 🔥
@paultrunfull3324
2 жыл бұрын
@@sky360aerialmedia Hi there' no you don't have strike a surface to ignite the wool, just place the battery terminals onto the wool at the same time and it will light. Fluffing the wool (pulling the wool apart) will help it burn better. Hope this helps.
@alfie1534
Ай бұрын
hi, i’ve been doing this for about a week now and currently looking to order some wire wool and just wondering what the difference is between 0000 and 000 cause google says to use 0000 but im not sure which to go for
@paultrunfull3324
Ай бұрын
@@alfie1534 Hi there the difference is that 0000 is the finner and is easier to light, always go for the type with the most 0's.
Im not a professional by far at photography, but with how you explained it I could understand everything. Thank you Sir!! This is amazing!
@theschoolofphotography
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks Jeff glad it helped 👍
One of the few photographers that saws how he really feels when he takes the shot.That is reality!Subbed
@theschoolofphotography
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks, glad to have you on board 😊
The cover photo is amazing.
This simply explained something I've been looking at trying for some time, thank you.
Nice work. Thanks for putting this together.
@theschoolofphotography
6 жыл бұрын
+Caleb Mcelhaney thanks, glad you liked it. 👍
You seemed so excited like a little kid at the end, having so much fun! Love it!
@theschoolofphotography
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Dennis, it was loads of fun 👍
Nice, the sheer joy when u get the pic u r looking for.
@theschoolofphotography
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks, glad you liked it 👍
Thank you so much for those free lessons. Really impressed with the ideas. Thanks once again 😊
@theschoolofphotography
6 жыл бұрын
+prince patel you're welcome. Lots more to come so make sure you subscribe to be notified 😊
this is the best video explaining this incredible technique. thank you.
The overhead photo was awesome!!! Thxs.
@theschoolofphotography
4 жыл бұрын
Your welcome 👍
Literally struggled so much prior to watching this video and the results were surreal after watching this, thank you!
@theschoolofphotography
4 жыл бұрын
No problem, glad to help. Make sure you tag the shots #theschoolofphotography on social media so we can see them 👍😊
This is a wonderful video! Loved the mini class on steel wool photography. Subscribed on all platforms. I can't wait to go through the rest of the lessons!!
@theschoolofphotography
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Natalia, glad to have you on board 👍
inlove with this tutorial
@theschoolofphotography
6 жыл бұрын
+Kirsten Ryklief thanks 😊👍
This is The Best Video I Have Ever Seen On KZread! Very satisying 👌👏
@theschoolofphotography
6 жыл бұрын
+Babar Raja OFFICIAL thanks, don't forget to subscribe for more 👍
You are very responsible sir. The way you explain all the safety measures tells that you care for people.
Que show. Parabéns!
Did steel wool photography for the 1st time last night, so fun and addictive, want to try other stuff than just a beach.
Thank you for the videos you post. They’re extremely helpful. I’ve a photography assignment I’m working on, it’s a final project at university, and I plan to attempt steel wool photography. Your video has given me a good bit of knowledge. Let’s see if I can put it into practice.
@theschoolofphotography
5 жыл бұрын
You're welcome Mona, good luck with the shoot 👍
That looks amazing :)
@theschoolofphotography
6 жыл бұрын
+JadFox696 it is 😊 give it a try and send us the results.
really enjoyed the video. nice shots, really liked the shot with the umbrella and raining fire
@theschoolofphotography
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Wayne, glad you liked it 😊
Great clip. Love shooting with the whisk. So many cool ideas. And thank you for sharing yours.
@theschoolofphotography
4 жыл бұрын
You're welcome, glad it helped 👍
I love this video. Thanks for this great idea. Love you
@theschoolofphotography
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks, glad you liked it 👍
Just started yesterday your on line complete guide course and I'm enjoying a lot. Greetings from Portugal 😉📸
@theschoolofphotography
3 жыл бұрын
Great to hear!
Wow...foxy lady! Your model is a stunner.
amazing
Wow!!!! Awesome! Fabulous!! Fire Fire!! Absolutely love it! Very good teamwork....
@theschoolofphotography
4 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
Awesome.
@theschoolofphotography
7 жыл бұрын
+Gary Clayton thanks Gary, glad you liked it :)
You are an amazing artist and the way you explained everything makes things easier to understand. You answered my # 1 question that most photographers seem to forget to explain and it is HOW TO FOCUS. 💯🔥🙏 Liked and subscribed!
@theschoolofphotography
4 жыл бұрын
Welcome aboard 👍
That’s was amazing thank you
@theschoolofphotography
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks Salvador glad you liked it. Don't forget to subscribe for more 👍
Thanks for the information, great video. I've done this for fun before and now I'm going to take some low light photos.
@theschoolofphotography
6 жыл бұрын
+Mark Wadsworth Photography Glad you liked it 😊
Small tip: Lighting the steel-wool gets much easier, if you take a little 9V battery and strike the wool with it, like you would a match on a matchbox.
@theschoolofphotography
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing 👍
@meZQureshi
4 жыл бұрын
Explanation required. Pls elaborate!
@HauntedXXXPancake
4 жыл бұрын
@@meZQureshi A 9V battery (at least here in Europe) has both contacts on the top. By swiping the contacts over the steel-wool like a match on a matchbox, you generate a small electric arch or sparks which, in my experience, is much more effective than a lighter - Specially on a windy day. Hope that helped.
Really Awesome...
@theschoolofphotography
7 жыл бұрын
+Zinna Alam thanks Zinna
Amazing pictures, gonna have to try this
@theschoolofphotography
3 жыл бұрын
Good luck 👍😊
It's amazing ,Thanks
@theschoolofphotography
6 жыл бұрын
You're welcome Ahmed, glad you liked it 👍
Awesome video and tutorial 👌
@theschoolofphotography
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks a lot 😊
That was a "GREAT" video. Keep up the good work!
@theschoolofphotography
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you Vincent👍
Great lesson thank you &'"let's load up the whisk" is my favourite phrase of 2020 😂👍
@theschoolofphotography
3 жыл бұрын
Ha 😁😂
The flower pot firework..i used that to photograph raining fire
Merci pour votre explication
@theschoolofphotography
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks, you're welcome 😊
Wow it's amazing-
@theschoolofphotography
6 жыл бұрын
+T HK thanks, don't forget to subscribe for more 👍
Wonderful
@theschoolofphotography
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you! Cheers!
Great tutorial
@theschoolofphotography
6 жыл бұрын
+ALVEE BABU PRODUCTION thanks appreciate the comments. Don't forget to subscribe for more 😊
Great images, love the one where it goes over the camera. I've done something similar. Just a tip, when making an orb you need the model to walk around in a circle with the fulcrum point in the middle. If she just rotates you get a funny looking not round one.
really nice advice thankyou
@theschoolofphotography
6 жыл бұрын
+John Smith thanks, don't forget to tag #theschoolofphotography if you upload any examples 👍
Wonderful easy to understand tutorial love this KZreadr 😊..
@theschoolofphotography
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much 😀
Thanks Mark, I love this video, and out of all the people I have listened to over the years you are the best at explaining. You are in the right job for sure. I have subscribed, that's a no brainer. You and the lovely model must be well pleased with these shots though, as they were great at a perfect location as well. Drinks all round in pub after that shoot. ha!
@theschoolofphotography
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Gary, glad to have you on board 👍
Wow the one above her head was stunning aspeshly when the sparks was bounsing off the wall
@theschoolofphotography
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
great tutorial
@theschoolofphotography
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks, don't forget to subscribe for more :)
you had me at white balance!
great video, kudos
@theschoolofphotography
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks 👍
Your voice is pure eargasm, gotta love everything you say
@theschoolofphotography
7 жыл бұрын
+Let'sPeter not quite sure how to react to that but thanks anyway :)
@ThirdHillFromTheLeft
6 жыл бұрын
CarloB I was thinking the same thing.
@anabanana7305
6 жыл бұрын
CarloB I
very very nice, sir... you make it so amazing
@theschoolofphotography
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks 👍
wow
@theschoolofphotography
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks :)
U r amazing ur work is awesome
@theschoolofphotography
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks
Simply awesome!!!. The footage of fire is amazing so as the model, she's so beautiful. Thank you for the camera setting tip.
@theschoolofphotography
5 жыл бұрын
You're welcome Paul, glad it helped you out 👍
Brilliant again Marc and love the out takes at the end. Gonna give it a go but the hardest bit will be convincing my son(17) to be the whisk revolver lol 😂
@theschoolofphotography
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks Chris, It's great fun to do, just be safe!
Wow!! Amazing pictures!! I am definitely going to try that!!
@theschoolofphotography
5 жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it 👍
@scottiethegreat74
5 жыл бұрын
@@theschoolofphotography I used to work as a juggler, but never did photography back then, this has also given me a reason to pull out the old fire juggling clubs, and do some experimenting. New to photography, and still learning!! Definitely going to check out some more of your videos for more ideas like this one to try!! Great video 😊😊
@theschoolofphotography
5 жыл бұрын
@@scottiethegreat74 now that would be cool! Be careful 👍
@scottiethegreat74
5 жыл бұрын
@@theschoolofphotography Always careful playing with fire!!
incredible pics, and a cute gal, thanks for the tips, subscribed!
@theschoolofphotography
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks glad you liked it and good to have you on board 👍
It is something I’m going have to try, I think you need to give a little more recognition to Lura. She is a beautiful young lady and does a great job
Exelent
@theschoolofphotography
7 жыл бұрын
+K Arjun thanks K :)
Well done
@theschoolofphotography
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks David, glad you liked it 😊
Thank you for this! fabulous! quick question when you switched to over head spinning and brought the camera closer was there any issue with the sparks coming that close to the lens??
Wow
@theschoolofphotography
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks 👍
tank's
Thanks for posting this, it clears up some questions I have had about this. One question I was always wondering, Do you light the wool and wait for the camera to start or are you already swing the wool around before the camera starts?
@theschoolofphotography
5 жыл бұрын
Hi Dave, you swing the wool before the camera starts. You can see us doing it in the video. Hope that helps 👍
Supar photography sir
@theschoolofphotography
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks 👍
Awesome 👏
@theschoolofphotography
6 жыл бұрын
thanks :)
@31993ify
6 жыл бұрын
The School of Photography i recently got a camera as a gift nothing special 1300d and i really like your videos and you have amazing skills.
@theschoolofphotography
6 жыл бұрын
😊😊👍
brilliant video!!!!! if doing it on your own, any tips for setting up the focus?
Love the voice
@theschoolofphotography
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks
Hi, I am doing GCSE photography and I would love to do this! I asked my teacher how to do it and she said she "didn't know" so I am glad I have found and subscribed to your channel. Would my camera (Canon 550D) enable me to do this? Thank you.
Your explanation is fantastic. Im curious about the shot that you did with the model holding the umbrella. When you used flash to light her up, did it affect the sparks at all in the background or did you combine two shots?
@theschoolofphotography
4 жыл бұрын
Hi, no it didn't and it's done in one shot. You can find out how this is done www.theschoolofphotography.com/courses/complete-guide-to-photography thanks
Holy cow! That overhead shot was amazing! I'd be afraid that the sparks hit the lens and create burn marks, did you use some kind of a protection filter?
@theschoolofphotography
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks Toby, glad you liked it. There's a standard UV filter on the lens. Hope that helps 👍
Way, Way Cool or should I say Hot! Live here across the pond in the US, don't have one of those Castle Relics laying around that I could borrow. Will have to do ti in my yard, wouldn't be the first time I set the house on fire!
I am here for extra tips for wool photography. I tried some this past weekend. I did alright but want more ideas, thanks. One thing, I believe you said to have camera on autofocus 1st then switch to manual? If at night, should I use a light or something to get the focus 1st?
@theschoolofphotography
3 жыл бұрын
Hi, yes do that. I show you how in the video. Thanks
Great tuturial. After 6.50 you are speaking about the shot with a wide angle lens, sparks over the top of the camera .... Before trying this with my new Sony A7iii: did you protect your camera and if so in which way? Thanks. Ruud
@theschoolofphotography
5 жыл бұрын
Hi, no I didn't so if you're going to do it, do so at your own risk! 😊
Hi Marc, Great video, I've tried this a few times and had some differing results. I At 1.59 min you explain about pre-focusing then setting to manual. I noticed you left the stabilisation switched on, on the lens. Even when working from a tripod is this something you would recommend? Cheers Andy K
@theschoolofphotography
5 жыл бұрын
Hi Andy, when working on a tripod like this you should really turn it off but I've left mine on loads whilst on a tripod and it's been fine. Hope that helps 😊
Did you use the same camera for the video shots as well
@theschoolofphotography
6 жыл бұрын
Hi, no it was filmed on another camera.
This video is awesome! One question though. What was that light you had in your hand?
@theschoolofphotography
3 жыл бұрын
Click here www.theschoolofphotography.com/tutorials/steel-wool-photography to see all the equipment that we used. 👍😊
You can also use a 9 volt battery to start the steel wool
What genre of photographie is that ? That look fantastique.
@theschoolofphotography
6 жыл бұрын
Steel wool photography. Thanks
7:40 holy katz!!!
what shutter speed is best steel wool photography?
hey marc I was thinking of testing the photography settings with my angle grinder first what you think? haha
@theschoolofphotography
5 жыл бұрын
Be safe!! 👍
*I'm not british so when you said "Light the person with a torch" I thought you were joking* 😂
@theschoolofphotography
6 жыл бұрын
😆
This is amazing and you explain it perfectly that we can understand every bit of it! Thank you so much and I can't WAIT to try this out!! BUT... Can you tell me what kind of Steel wool your using for this shoot?? I've never seem it in that form and as big as you have it. Are there different types of Steel Wool? Does it matter what kind we use? All this time I thought of using SOS scrubbing pads (It's steel wool but with some sorts of blue cleaning stuff in it?) I'm guessing that would NOT be the right kind of steal wool?? 😉
@theschoolofphotography
2 жыл бұрын
Hi it's just steel wool from the DIY store. Not any special type. 👍
Iv given this a go and I'm happy with a couple of shots. How can I get them to you so you can maybe give me an opinion on it?? Can I use Instagram, fb??
@theschoolofphotography
6 жыл бұрын
Hi Luke, yes please send them to via FB and if we like them we'll post them up and tage you in. Don't foget to give us your instagram handle - Thanks
Can u do this with sparklers like what u use on new years or 4th of July in the u.s.a
@theschoolofphotography
2 жыл бұрын
Hi, yes you can, details here kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZIyBz7Vsc5CTnNo.html
Out of curiosity what exactly do you do with these photos after you’re done? Do you sell them?
@HonestKay72
3 жыл бұрын
The fun part is shooting an excellent photo and sharing with friends.
are the steel wool and whisk reusable afterward?
@theschoolofphotography
3 жыл бұрын
Whisk is but wool isn't. Thanks
might be 2 stupid questions.. but 1- how did you light her up in the pic with the umberalla? and 2- how were you able to capture such smooth slow mo? thanks for a great video
@theschoolofphotography
4 жыл бұрын
Hi, not stupid at all. She was lit with flash and the filming was done at 100 fps. Hope that helps
I agree with that guy. I love your accent, i'm American so I am jealous. Having said that I watched your video went out and tried this. I was amazed, thanks to you my very first shot was perfect!! I went for 8 seconds at f9 iso100 and was blown away!!! I think this looks so amazing!! I cannot wait to get on a river in NH this winter and do some steel wool photography. Liked and Subscribed. Thank you Sir!! :)
@theschoolofphotography
5 жыл бұрын
You're welcome, glad to have you on board 👍
For a minute their I thought they were gonna make a cake lol
Wicked tutorial! Deffo keen to give this a go! What Tripod is that Manfrotto you're using? & is there a lower budget decent tripod that yourself, or anyone in the comments can recommend? I've been looking at second hand Manfrotto and other high quality tripods as I don't have loads of money, but need a decent tripod really bad! Also, I've just experimented with long exposure photos, and also time lapses, so have a look at the video I've just put up today from Kennal Vale if anyones interested. Cheers.
@theschoolofphotography
2 жыл бұрын
Hi Harold, it's the 190. Here is a video on tripods review kzread.info/dash/bejne/q5mtpKNvZ6-oo84.html thanks
Hi, I'm fairly new to digital photography but am looking at a Canon 70d. Do you think I would be able to achieve something like this with that camera? Thanks in advance
@theschoolofphotography
4 жыл бұрын
Yes it will do the job fine 👍
Hi I have tried this a few time now and I’m getting different results. Sometimes my pictures come out pretty good and offer time they come out blurry? Can the wether or moon light effect my picture?
@theschoolofphotography
5 жыл бұрын
Hi, as long as it's dark and you follow the instructions in this video, it will work. Thanks
How far should the camera be placed to catch everything in the frame???
@theschoolofphotography
Жыл бұрын
Hi, depends on the lens and focal length you want to use, more details here www.theschoolofphotography.com/courses/beginners-photography-course
You are so.....bouncy. Reminds me of Gavin Hoey, he's bouncy too. Cheers!
@theschoolofphotography
5 жыл бұрын
Love to bounce 😊👍