How to use Smoke Bombs in a Photo Shoot

Smoke Bombs create a magical and atmospheric image, but using them is quite tricky to get right. There are many things to think about, the weather, wind, tin foil, health and safety, the model, and lighting. Here are a few tips that might help if you want to use them in your next photo shoot:

1. Smoke Bombs are poisonous, and shouldn't be breathed in, so always use them outside and make sure your model holds their breath.
2. They can be tricky to light, especially in the wind, so use a good lighter and plenty of cover.
3. Some smoke bombs only last a minute, so you have to act quickly to get a good shot, practice some poses with the model before hand so that you can guarantee a great image.
4. Choosing a good background is crucial, you don't have to go far away, I used some spooky looking trees in my local park.
5. Lighting is always worth thinking about, because it is winter at the minute, make sure you keep an eye on the time, although late afternoon lighting produces a gorgeous golden colour. If you are doing extravagant hair and make-up on your model, allow enough time so the sun doesn't go down. Which is a mistake I have done in the past, so you always learn from your mistakes!
6. Tin foil is great for protecting the ground, or the hands of your model. In this shoot my model Katy was being portrayed as Pandora, famously all the demons and tragic things in the world came out of a box given to her by Zeus. I used a metal box, and put tin foil around the smoke bomb for added protection, as it does get very hot. Using a container like this would be a great idea.
7. It is useful to have a friend to help you with 'set design'. My boyfriend was on hand to light the smoke bombs and then quickly run away, so that I was already in position to take photos, since there is only a minute of smoke, it is quite the military operation.
8. I got my smoke bombs from a local joke shop, however you can get the same brand that I used online here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/201360133690?adgroupid=13585920426&hlpht=true&hlpv=2&rlsatarget=pla-131843277186&adtype=pla&ff3=1&lpid=122&poi=&ul_noapp=true&limghlpsr=true&device=c&chn=ps&campaignid=207297426&crdt=0&ff12=67&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff14=122&viphx=1&ops=true&ff13=80