Help with candle/lighter flame photography?

Zilla · 05-17-2009, 10:00 AM

I have a K10D and am trying to photograph candle light, or a cigarette lighter flame but can't get the desired results. I use a tripod, and no flash of course. ALL the pics I take render the flame as a "white" flame, instead of the yellowish tint I desire. I've tried from slow (0.5s) to fast (200) shutter speeds, and varying f/stops (f4.0-f11), and varying ISO (200-1600). I also used Auto, Shady, Cloudy, white balance. I've google on tips to see suggestions, and those pages render the flame white also. Any ideas?

pingflood · 05-17-2009, 10:16 AM

Post a sample of what you're talking about.

Zilla · 05-17-2009, 10:49 AM

I'd like to capture the yellowish tint like in this pic.

Picture of Five candles burning 1779147 - Search Stock Photography, Photos, Images, and Photo Clipart - 1779147.jpg. The rest of the pics on the same page Candle light Stock Photo Images. 6316 Candle light royalty free pictures and photos available to download from over 100 stock photography brands. all have a whitish flame.

Zilla · 05-17-2009, 10:54 AM

Still on the same site, I'm trying to capture this type of shot.
Stock Photograph of Candle k0506129 - Search Stock Photography, Photos, Images, and Photo Clip Art - k0506129.jpg

Chris.Nielsen · 05-17-2009, 11:22 AM

Originally posted by Zilla

I have a K10D and am trying to photograph candle light, or a cigarette lighter flame but can't get the desired results. I use a tripod, and no flash of course. ALL the pics I take render the flame as a "white" flame, instead of the yellowish tint I desire. I've tried from slow (0.5s) to fast (200) shutter speeds, and varying f/stops (f4.0-f11), and varying ISO (200-1600). I also used Auto, Shady, Cloudy, white balance. I've google on tips to see suggestions, and those pages render the flame white also. Any ideas?

Will the flame be white because it is burnt out? The contrast between the candle wax and the light of the flame might be too big, and the flame will be washed out.

Another technique is to put a colored filter in front of the flash, if you are using this setup, to make the color temperature of the flash different from the color temperature of the flame.

The different exposures are no difference - it is a matter of not having the flame burning out. So go with ISO 100 and as fast a shutterspeed and small aperture to see the color. Do you also need the blue part of the bottom of the flame?

pingflood · 05-17-2009, 11:22 AM

And can you post one of yours to compare?

flyer · 05-17-2009, 11:30 AM

Try different white balance. The flame is likely throwing off the auto white balance. You'll find something you like.

OregonJim · 05-17-2009, 02:07 PM

Well, this was done with K200D, ISO 400, 1/4S @ f/8, manual WB:

Try setting the WB from a sheet of white paper lit only by the candle/flame...

Zilla · 05-17-2009, 02:19 PM

Originally posted by flyer

Try different white balance. The flame is likely throwing off the auto white balance. You'll find something you like.

I did play with different white balances, and EV compensation, to no avail.

Zilla · 05-17-2009, 02:21 PM

Originally posted by OregonJim

Well, this was done with K200D, ISO 400, 1/4S @ f/8, manual WB:

Try setting the WB from a sheet of white paper lit only by the candle/flame...

Well the flame in you pic is also "white", not my desired yellow. I'll try your white paper trick. I do have a midtone card I can try too.

Zilla · 05-17-2009, 02:22 PM

Originally posted by Chris.Nielsen

Will the flame be white because it is burnt out? The contrast between the candle wax and the light of the flame might be too big, and the flame will be washed out.

Another technique is to put a colored filter in front of the flash, if you are using this setup, to make the color temperature of the flash different from the color temperature of the flame.

The different exposures are no difference - it is a matter of not having the flame burning out. So go with ISO 100 and as fast a shutterspeed and small aperture to see the color. Do you also need the blue part of the bottom of the flame?

I don't, and don't want to, use flash in this setting.

kristoffon · 05-17-2009, 06:09 PM

I would try exposing the picture to get the FLAME in the mid tones, this will probably render it yellow. But everything else will be black so you'll probably need another shot exposing for the candle (as you did already) and merge in post processing.

Marc Sabatella · 05-17-2009, 10:42 PM

You really should post one of your pictures, with EXIF intact. But I'm guessing you're *way* overexposed. Go to M mode and keep increasing shutter speed until you get a completely black picture and see if it doesn't turn yellow somewhere on the way. Use flash WB, BTW, to best capture the color of a candle or any light source.

Wheatfield · 05-18-2009, 09:16 AM

This kind of thing can be tricky. You really want to bring illumination levels up high enough that the candle isn't the only light source using tungsten light, which is also yellowish.

newarts · 05-18-2009, 10:26 AM

1. Lookat the histogram. If it is cut off at the right, decrease the exposure.
Then
2. Try a variety of white balances 'til you find the one you like.

The reason #2 is needed is that candle flames are comparatively cool, hence reddish orange. Our visual system compensates for this & renders their color different from reality.

If a white balance is taken from the light of the candle flame then, by definition, that color will be rendered white.

Iowa Dave

05-17-2009, 10:00 AM	#1
Zilla Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 39	Help with candle/lighter flame photography? I have a K10D and am trying to photograph candle light, or a cigarette lighter flame but can't get the desired results. I use a tripod, and no flash of course. ALL the pics I take render the flame as a "white" flame, instead of the yellowish tint I desire. I've tried from slow (0.5s) to fast (200) shutter speeds, and varying f/stops (f4.0-f11), and varying ISO (200-1600). I also used Auto, Shady, Cloudy, white balance. I've google on tips to see suggestions, and those pages render the flame white also. Any ideas?

05-17-2009, 11:22 AM	#5
Chris.Nielsen New Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Aalborg, Denmark Posts: 20	Composite? Originally posted by Zilla I have a K10D and am trying to photograph candle light, or a cigarette lighter flame but can't get the desired results. I use a tripod, and no flash of course. ALL the pics I take render the flame as a "white" flame, instead of the yellowish tint I desire. I've tried from slow (0.5s) to fast (200) shutter speeds, and varying f/stops (f4.0-f11), and varying ISO (200-1600). I also used Auto, Shady, Cloudy, white balance. I've google on tips to see suggestions, and those pages render the flame white also. Any ideas? Will the flame be white because it is burnt out? The contrast between the candle wax and the light of the flame might be too big, and the flame will be washed out. Another technique is to put a colored filter in front of the flash, if you are using this setup, to make the color temperature of the flash different from the color temperature of the flame. The different exposures are no difference - it is a matter of not having the flame burning out. So go with ISO 100 and as fast a shutterspeed and small aperture to see the color. Do you also need the blue part of the bottom of the flame?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
On a lighter Note	cupic	Post Your Photos!	0	08-02-2009 03:04 AM
Candle lit portraits 3	trumpyman	Post Your Photos!	14	09-20-2008 04:34 AM
Candle (not in the wind)	barbosas	Post Your Photos!	4	03-09-2008 08:28 AM
Christmas Candle	Neisey	Photo Critique	1	01-05-2008 11:14 AM
Candle - part of my 'In my house" collection	Brian Wahl	Post Your Photos!	10	01-18-2007 10:29 AM

05-17-2009, 10:16 AM	#2
pingflood Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Borås, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,169	Post a sample of what you're talking about.

05-17-2009, 10:49 AM	#3
Zilla Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 39 Original Poster	I'd like to capture the yellowish tint like in this pic. Picture of Five candles burning 1779147 - Search Stock Photography, Photos, Images, and Photo Clipart - 1779147.jpg. The rest of the pics on the same page Candle light Stock Photo Images. 6316 Candle light royalty free pictures and photos available to download from over 100 stock photography brands. all have a whitish flame.

05-17-2009, 10:54 AM	#4
Zilla Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 39 Original Poster	Still on the same site, I'm trying to capture this type of shot. Stock Photograph of Candle k0506129 - Search Stock Photography, Photos, Images, and Photo Clip Art - k0506129.jpg

05-17-2009, 11:30 AM	#7
flyer Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ste-Anne des Plaines, Qc., Canada Posts: 2,013	Try different white balance. The flame is likely throwing off the auto white balance. You'll find something you like.

05-17-2009, 02:07 PM	#8
OregonJim Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon Posts: 1,327	Well, this was done with K200D, ISO 400, 1/4S @ f/8, manual WB: Try setting the WB from a sheet of white paper lit only by the candle/flame...

05-17-2009, 02:19 PM	#9
Zilla Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 39 Original Poster	Originally posted by flyer Try different white balance. The flame is likely throwing off the auto white balance. You'll find something you like. I did play with different white balances, and EV compensation, to no avail.

05-17-2009, 02:21 PM	#10
Zilla Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 39 Original Poster	Originally posted by OregonJim Well, this was done with K200D, ISO 400, 1/4S @ f/8, manual WB: Try setting the WB from a sheet of white paper lit only by the candle/flame... Well the flame in you pic is also "white", not my desired yellow. I'll try your white paper trick. I do have a midtone card I can try too.

05-17-2009, 02:22 PM	#11
Zilla Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 39 Original Poster	Originally posted by Chris.Nielsen Will the flame be white because it is burnt out? The contrast between the candle wax and the light of the flame might be too big, and the flame will be washed out. Another technique is to put a colored filter in front of the flash, if you are using this setup, to make the color temperature of the flash different from the color temperature of the flame. The different exposures are no difference - it is a matter of not having the flame burning out. So go with ISO 100 and as fast a shutterspeed and small aperture to see the color. Do you also need the blue part of the bottom of the flame? I don't, and don't want to, use flash in this setting.

05-17-2009, 06:09 PM	#12
kristoffon Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Brazil Posts: 532	I would try exposing the picture to get the FLAME in the mid tones, this will probably render it yellow. But everything else will be black so you'll probably need another shot exposing for the candle (as you did already) and merge in post processing.

05-17-2009, 10:42 PM	#13
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	You really should post one of your pictures, with EXIF intact. But I'm guessing you're way overexposed. Go to M mode and keep increasing shutter speed until you get a completely black picture and see if it doesn't turn yellow somewhere on the way. Use flash WB, BTW, to best capture the color of a candle or any light source.

05-18-2009, 09:16 AM	#14
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,975	This kind of thing can be tricky. You really want to bring illumination levels up high enough that the candle isn't the only light source using tungsten light, which is also yellowish.

05-18-2009, 10:26 AM	#15
newarts Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ames, Iowa, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 2,965	1. Lookat the histogram. If it is cut off at the right, decrease the exposure. Then 2. Try a variety of white balances 'til you find the one you like. The reason #2 is needed is that candle flames are comparatively cool, hence reddish orange. Our visual system compensates for this & renders their color different from reality. If a white balance is taken from the light of the candle flame then, by definition, that color will be rendered white. Iowa Dave

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search