I had a couple of projects in mind for this challenge, but since I was sick, wasn't be able to realize them. So, I had to find an alternative idea. I lighted the fire in my wood stove and waited for some bright red, burning coals. While I was waiting, I cut a photographer's silhouette from a black paper sheet. I put it in front of the coals and took some shots. It didn't work as I wanted, though, because it was too hot or the silhouette was too close to the fire. In fact, after a few shots the paper burned just right before I could have time to move it in a better position. Doh!!! Next time I'll be more careful.
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I have a 426-lb cast-iron woodstove that I keep fired 24/7 for at least 5 months of the year, and have often wanted to do shots like this with nice red-hot coals in the bg. On to your image. I think it's great, and the high number of 6s and 7s seems to reflect that. The crouching photog cutout seems a little too close to the coals, though. Almost too much is in focus here. Black bristol board may last a little longer, btw :-)
Your settings otherwise are fine for this shot, I imagine you used a tripod. I think a shallower dof, enough to keep the photog in focus but enough to blur out the bg slightly, would have given you an even higher score. If possible I would recommend tossing in something like dried orange peel (burns brightly, and beautifully, but very briefly) to give you a bit of a flame. Wouldn't hurt to see what you got with it.
Overall a wonderful shot, by all means play around with the settings and see what happens. Look forward to seeing more of your work.
I'd love to know how you did this. it looks to me like they are small pieces of burning wood or charcoal with a big over sized person in the foreground.
Well done.
I can't figure out the person in the front and the detail of the coals. These are coals, right? I'm looking forward to see your notes after this challenge because this intrigues me. *8*
Good shot of the fire. Like the exposure. There could have been some interesting element in the image to boos the composition. And also, could have been better on sharpness.
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