Photographer's Comment: Got bored in a motel room in Des Moines and shot some incense, something I've been wanting to do again for about a year now. If you get bored someday it's a fun way to pass some time, the cool thing is you really don't know what you are going to get next. Set up was easy, put up a small blk bg, and placed my 550 ex flash 90 degree to camera right, Experimented with different colored gels in front of the light source. I know what I see in it, but the cool thing is everyone can see something different. Kind of like those little drawings the shrinks show you.

Tags: abstract incense smoke

Viewer Comments:

By orchid (2008-02-13 13:04:06 ): This is really beautiful. Regardless of what image each person may see, it is very sensuous.

By leachy (2008-02-09 14:47:43 ): this is such fun. every time i view this i see something new. fascinating stuff. well done.

By Keith (2008-02-08 20:21:26 ): You got my Vote for creativity. Like something caught between your teeth images captured in places which richly deserve to be enjoyed... however the exotic is many time eye candy. I am dazzled by images captured within steps of where you hang you hat! You again show me... the right side mind is the great journey one can take. Thanks for sharing

By smokeydawg (2008-02-08 16:45:23 ): Thanks Ken. LoL on the prints, a funny thing happened. I left a day early to beat the winter storm back, but they wouldn't release the print cases yet. They said they would give them to someone else in my area to bring back. I know most of the others in this area so no problem..... Well it's been three days now, no cases...the scores are of course in the cases, and can't get hold of the guy in charge of the comp to get the scores. I feel like my "babies" are out there all alone!

By johnwillems (2008-02-07 23:07:56 ): Has rated this image

By ktapio (2008-02-07 19:51:25 ): thanks for your time katia

By robertb (2008-02-07 16:54:45 ): The image is beautiful! Your presentation is very creative and very effective.

By smokeydawg (2008-02-07 15:30:46 ): Hi Katia. The flash was fired by the camera, just took the flash off camera and put it 90 degrees from the smoke. (90 degrees to camera right. The gel provided the color. The rest was just how the incense smoke reacted to the light.

By KBittancourt (2008-02-07 13:28:27 ): Well done Carl. Has your association announced the photo winners? I fully expect to see your name at the top of the list. - Ken

By johnwillems (2008-02-07 02:56:10 ): Here a total new "Carl-photograph". I do like it very much. The modern "mood" in these ArtWork is very aesthetic done and it gives me an "apart feel". From John.

By Alexander (2008-02-07 01:17:37 ): I like the title. If it weren't for that I probably would have seen the image as smoke and just dismissed it. Very creative and a good way to add an extra bit of depth to the image. Good lighting and texture. I like the warmth in the image. Thanks for sharing the experiment and setup with us

By ktapio (2008-02-07 00:01:35 ): Carl these are very nice shots you have taken. One winter I experimented with the incense smoke in candle lights and mirrors got some fantastic shots and amused my cat she was chasing the shadows. But never was able to get the fantastic colors and textures you had. Is it because of the gel you mentioned? Or the light you used? Was the flash used at all? Thanks for sharing your experiments, you always inspire and help a lot. katia

By Jim915 (2008-02-06 21:39:44 ): Excellent Carl. I've thought about something like this myself. Thanks for the setup info.

By clwhitney (2008-02-06 20:44:57 ): Very Creative Carl. It demonstrates that a photographer is only limited by their imagination.

By twadams (2008-02-06 19:21:18 ): WOW! The power of suggestion is incredible. I can see it! LOL I have gotten bored in motel rooms myself. Boredom is a powerful motivator at times. Great job.

By BKMorrow (2008-02-06 17:08:41 ): I like the idea and image. Your choice of framing is spot on as well.

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