365 Project Day 200: Mystery

Canon 5D Mark ll, 100 2.8 macro, 7.1 aperture, 1/200 shutter, 100 ISO, two Alien B800’s with 20 and 30 degree grid spots behind smoke at 45 degree angles, set at 1/4 power each.

While I was doing this shoot, I was fascinated by the lovely intricate patterns that form in smoke as it rises and wafts through the air. Folding in on itself and then out again, it appears to be dancing.  I was even more surprised when I saw the plumes on my computer screen. There were definite patterns and shapes, each unique and delicate. And colors! Smoke has color in it that you cannot see with the naked eye. Yes, I did do some color-saturating in Photoshop, and a few adjustments with curves to bring out the brilliance, but there are lots of colors there naturally.

It seems everywhere I look, I find something new and wonderful about God. Only God would put beautiful colors and patterns in smoke. Why not? His attention to detail can be found all around me. The anatomy of a single flower, the cells of living things, snowflakes, finger prints, the color of my children’s eyes, the green of summer and the red of fall. Everywhere I look, I find His mysteries unfolding around me. And the more I learn about Him, the less I really know. He is unsearchable, infinite, majestic. He is God, and there is no other.

I loved working with the smoke from incense for this shoot. It was a delight to the senses, and I learned new things about photography, and also about God. I found Him in a plume of smoke.

Here are a few more of my adventure with smoke photography. I had so much fun, and love what I got. Enjoy~