I want to create a series of images depicting the cycle of life using the sunflower as a metaphor. I need to wait til summer to capture an image of a sunflower in full bloom to represent life, but started with a sunflower inflames.
A two camera set up was used to capture the flames, each camera set to a different shutter speed. Dried carnations were used as substitutes for a sunflower as a test shoot. A little white spirit was used to start the flames, the amount used determined how high the flames went, which dictated how to frame the shot. Three flowers were burned before a satisfactory result was achieved.
After the test shots, the set up was adjusted to shoot in portrait and to position the cameras below the subject in order to capture the full extent of the flames. The sunflower was ignited and images captured using a fast and slow shutter speed. The different effects can be seen above, with the slower shutter speed being the image on the left. My view is that the image on the right is the more impactful.
Photography Blog 