Tyler Brooks
Candles are a great subject for photography, with their warm glow, interesting shapes, and wide range of colours and sizes. Capturing the perfect image of a burning candle can be challenging, however, due to the contrast between the bright flame and the dim surroundings. To get the best results, it's important to pay attention to lighting, composition, and equipment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lighting | Turn off all other lights in the studio or room. If shooting in a room with windows, wait until dark and pull the drapes to get the room totally black. |
| Equipment | Use a camera that performs well in low light, such as the Canon EOS R6. A fast prime lens such as the Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM is also useful as it allows for faster shutter speeds and lower ISOs in low light. A tripod is also recommended to reduce camera shake and allow for longer exposures. |
| Composition | Use a simple composition with no distracting background elements. Consider adding other objects to provide context and tell a story. Arrange objects to cast long, interesting shadows to add depth. |
| Exposure | Expose for the brighter element in the frame as it's easier to lift shadows in post-production. Avoid overexposing too much to prevent candles from becoming burnt-out spots in the image. |
| White Balance | Experiment with white balance settings to get the right level of warmth. Try 'indoor' or 'tungsten' settings or shoot in RAW for more flexibility in post-processing. |
| Focus | Get up close to the flame and fill the frame with the flame and some of the candle body. Alternatively, photograph a group of candles to add interest and fill the frame. |
| Reflections | Use reflective surfaces such as glass or mirrors to create interesting effects. Be aware of potential issues with double reflections when shooting at low angles. |
| Safety | Be careful not to burn anything and be mindful of wax spillage. |
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What You'll Learn
Use a tripod and a remote shutter release to minimise camera shake
When shooting photographs of burning candles, it is important to minimise camera shake to ensure the highest quality images. One way to do this is to use a tripod. A tripod will keep your camera secure and steady during shots, reducing the risk of blur or other issues caused by camera shake. This is especially important when shooting in low-light conditions, as slower shutter speeds are typically required, which can amplify the effects of camera shake.
Another way to minimise camera shake is to use a remote shutter release. This allows you to take photographs without physically touching the camera, eliminating any vibrations that may occur when pressing the shutter button. Remote shutter releases can be purchased relatively cheaply and are an essential tool for long-exposure photography.
By using a combination of a tripod and a remote shutter release, you can significantly reduce the impact of camera shake on your candle photography. This will result in sharper, clearer images that better capture the beauty and atmosphere of burning candles.
It is worth noting that while a tripod and remote shutter release can help minimise camera shake, there are other factors to consider when shooting in low-light conditions. For example, using additional candles or a camera with good low-light performance, such as the Canon EOS R6, can provide more light and improve your photography experience.
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Experiment with white balance to capture the warm light
Capturing the warm light of a candle in a photograph can be challenging. The orange light produced by a candle can confuse your camera's automatic white balance, causing it to remove the warm feeling of the image. To capture the warm light of the candle effectively, it is recommended to experiment with different white balance settings on your camera.
Firstly, ensure that you are shooting in a dark environment with no other light sources besides the candle. Turn off any modelling lights, studio lights, or flash. If shooting in a room with windows, wait until dark and pull the drapes to ensure the room is completely dark. By eliminating other light sources, you can focus solely on capturing the warm light of the candle.
Now, experiment with different white balance settings on your camera. Try setting the white balance to 'indoor' or 'tungsten', which can help retain the warm light in your images. Shooting in RAW format can also give you more flexibility with white balance adjustments in post-processing.
Additionally, pay attention to the composition of your photograph. Candles often create a warm and intimate atmosphere, so consider a simple composition with no distracting background elements. You can experiment with adding other objects to your scene to create interesting shadows and add depth to your photograph.
Finally, get creative with your angles and perspectives. Try filling the frame with the candle flame and exposing to capture the details in the flame. You can also experiment with different focal lengths and lenses, such as a fisheye lens for wide-angle shots.
By experimenting with white balance settings, composition, and creative techniques, you can effectively capture the warm light of burning candles in your photographs.
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Use a camera that performs well in low light
When it comes to photographing burning candles, one of the biggest challenges is the lack of light. The light produced by a candle flame is usually quite dim, and if you're using it as a light source to capture nearby subjects, you'll need gear that performs well in low-light conditions.
Using a camera that is designed to handle low-light situations can make a significant difference in the quality of your candle photographs. Cameras with ultra-sensitive sensors, such as the Canon EOS R6, are ideal for capturing the warm glow of candlelight without compromising on image quality. The Canon EOS R6's 20.1MP full-frame sensor is specifically engineered to manage high dynamic range scenarios and low-light environments effortlessly.
Another advantage of using a low-light-capable camera is the ability to utilise faster shutter speeds and lower ISOs. This results in sharper images with less noise. A fast prime lens, such as the Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM, is an excellent choice for candle photography. Prime lenses tend to have wider maximum apertures than zoom lenses, allowing more light to reach the sensor.
Additionally, consider using a tripod with your camera. A tripod provides stability and reduces the impact of camera shake, which is crucial when working with slower shutter speeds in low-light conditions. It also gives you the option to experiment with longer exposures, creatively blurring the flickering movement of the candle flames.
Remember, while candlelight can create a captivating and intimate atmosphere in your photographs, it is essential to pay attention to your camera settings and choose equipment that excels in low-light performance to achieve the best results.
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Shoot at night with no other light sources
Shooting at night with no other light sources can be challenging due to the low light, but it is possible to get stunning results with the warm glow of candlelight. Here are some tips for shooting in such conditions:
First, ensure that you are shooting in a completely dark room with no other light sources. If you are shooting in a room with windows, wait until dark and pull the drapes to get the room totally black. Turn off all other lights, including modelling lights, and even the HVAC and ceiling fans to prevent the flame from flickering.
Next, consider the composition of your shot. Candles often need no further scenery to make a compelling photo, so a simple composition with a plain backdrop can be very effective. You can experiment with different numbers of candles—using more candles will produce more light and give you more flexibility with shutter speed, ISO, and aperture settings. Spreading the candles out a little will help create a more even spread of light, but you can play with the positioning to achieve different effects.
Now, let's discuss camera settings. It is recommended to shoot in RAW format to preserve as much information in your shot as possible and allow for more flexibility in post-production without any loss in quality. When it comes to ISO settings, increasing the ISO will help you capture more light, but it will also introduce more grain or noise to your images. Try to keep your ISO between 400 and 500 to balance these factors.
Another way to capture more light is to slow down your shutter speed by keeping your shutter open for longer. However, this increases the risk of camera shake and blurry shots. To reduce motion blur, you can use a shorter exposure time, but this will result in a darker image overall. You may need to experiment with different exposure times to capture the detail in the candle's flame, from the dark centre to the bright white peak.
Finally, turn off your flash to preserve the warm glow of the candles. Using a flash will destroy the ambient lighting achieved by candlelight. If you need additional lighting for your subject, you can try using a warm gel (orange or red) over your flash to dim its impact and project a warm light.
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Use reflective surfaces to create interesting effects
When photographing burning candles, you can use reflective surfaces to create interesting effects and enhance the overall look of your image. Here are some tips to achieve this:
Choose the Right Surface: Different surfaces reflect light differently, so select a surface that complements the look you are trying to achieve. For instance, light and airy images can be created by using lighter surfaces with minimal patterns, while a dark slate surface or smooth wooden board can give a more natural or contemporary feel. Additionally, consider using reflective objects like elegant glasses, vases, or even coloured shot glasses to create unique reflections and add interest to your composition.
Manage Glare: While glossy surfaces can create striking reflections, they can also produce glare, which may distort the true colours of your subject. To minimise glare, use diffused lighting or shoot in a darker environment. A dark background can help absorb light and reduce glare while creating a dramatic look with pronounced shadows.
Control Ambient Light: Turn off overhead lights, lamps, and any other light sources in the room to control the lighting conditions. If shooting near a window, wait until dark and close the curtains to eliminate external light sources. This allows you to capture the warm glow of the candle without interference from other light colours or temperatures.
Experiment with Reflections: Pay attention to the immediate surroundings and how they might be reflected on the candle or its container's surface. Strategically place props within the frame to create interesting reflections. For example, you can use a white tablecloth or white walls and ceilings to reflect light back into the scene, adding more light to your composition.
Adjust Camera Settings: When using reflective surfaces, be mindful of your camera's exposure and white balance settings. Candles are typically very bright, so your camera might underexpose the image. Try overexposing slightly from what your camera recommends to compensate. Additionally, experiment with different white balance settings ("indoor" or "tungsten" can work well) to retain the warm glow of the candle flame.
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Frequently asked questions
Turn off all other lights and modelling lights in the studio. If shooting in a room with windows, wait until dark and pull the drapes to get the room totally black. Turn off the HVAC and ceiling fans to prevent the flame from flickering.
A camera that performs well in low light, such as the Canon EOS R6, is ideal. A fast prime lens such as the Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM is also a great help, as primes tend to have wider maximum apertures than zooms. A tripod can also be very handy for candle photos, as it gives you the option to shoot longer exposures and blur the flickering movement of the flames.
Experiment with different compositions, such as including larger candles or using transparent or reflective objects like glasses or vases to reflect the light. Play with different exposures and shutter speeds to capture the warm glow of the candles, and consider overexposing by a stop from what the camera recommends to avoid underexposing the shot.
![PAMI Traditional Shabbat Candle Sticks [72-Pack] - Unscented Taper Candles with 3 Hours Burning Time- Paraffin Shabbos Candles with Beautiful Flame- Tall Dinner Candles for Candlestick Holders](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61p9NUo5CYL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
