Behind the Scenes: Playing with Fire

This was my first time experimenting with foam fire, and fire apparatuses at night in general. I’m no expert but I do have some small take aways that I’d liek to share.

Ingredients for Foam Fire

1. Foaming Agent:

   • Dish soap or bubble solution.

   • Water to dilute the soap.

2. Flammable Substance:

   • Isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher) or ethanol.

   • Do NOT use gasoline, kerosene, or other dangerous fuels—they’re too volatile.

3. Optional Additives:

   • Food coloring for colored foam (note: fire color won’t change).

   • Glycerin to make the foam thicker and last longer.

Tools You'll Need

• A bowl or bucket to mix the foam.

• A whisk, hand mixer (basically something to make it bubbly

• A lighter or torch (long-handled for safety).

• A non-flammable surface or a metal tray to contain the foam.

• A fire extinguisher or bucket of water for emergencies.

• Protective gear: gloves, goggles, fireproof clothing.

How to Make Foam Fire

1. Mix the Foam:

   • Combine dish soap and water in a bowl (2 parts soap to 1 part water works well).

   • Whisk or use a hand mixer until you create thick, frothy foam.

2. Add the Fuel:

   • Carefully pour isopropyl alcohol into the foam, mixing gently. Use just enough to saturate the foam without making it runny.

3. Prepare the Shooting Area:

   • Place the foam on a fire-safe surface like a metal tray or concrete slab.

   • Ensure the area is well-ventilated and clear of flammable materials.

   • Position your subject a safe distance away.

4. Ignite the Foam:

   • Use a long lighter or torch to ignite the foam. The alcohol burns quickly and cleanly, leaving the soap foam mostly intact.

Safety Tips

• Test First: Always do a small test burn to understand how the foam reacts.

• Fire Extinguisher: Have a fire extinguisher or water bucket on hand at all times.

• Protect Your Subject: Keep your subject and camera equipment at a safe distance from the fire.

• Stay Outside or in a Ventilated Space: Never attempt this indoors unless in a fireproof studio setup.

• Supervise Extinguishing: Never leave the foam burning unattended. Let it burn out completely or extinguish it manually when you're done.

Tips for Photographers:

1. Don’t Fear the ISO

Don’t hesitate to push up the ISO if needed to properly expose your subject and retain the details in the scene. Noise can always be reduced in post-production, but you can’t fix underexposed details that weren’t captured.

2. Master the Focus

One of the trickiest parts of foam fire photography is nailing the focus. Since the flames are dynamic and unpredictable, autofocus might struggle to lock onto the right subject. Pro tip: Use manual focus to ensure your subject stays sharp. Otherwise, your camera might focus on the fleeting flames instead of the person or object in the frame.

3. Bring Assistants

Foam fire isn’t a one-person operation. The flames dissipate quickly, which means frequent reapplication of foam to keep the fire alive. Running back and forth to manage both the foam and the camera can be exhausting and might cost you the perfect shot. Enlist assistants to handle the foam while you concentrate on capturing the moment.

4. Create Magical Light Trails

For those dreamy, glowing light streams, longer shutter speeds are key. But there’s an additional trick: second-curtain flash. This technique fires the flash at the end of the exposure rather than the beginning, creating a more natural and dynamic motion blur while keeping your subject crisp. Of course, a tripod comes in handy too!

Warning: Experiment responsibly! If you’re unsure or inexperienced with fire photography, consider working with a professional or attending a workshop to learn proper techniques.I’m planning on hosting one in the future!