Using Smoke Bombs In Portraits For A Strong Effect

Here is a technique I did not think I will ever be covering on the blog, using smoke bombs. In fact I did not even know that there is such a thing as smoke bombs until I stumbled on the photography of Jovana Rikalo.

Serbian photographer Jovana Rikalo uses smoke bombs to create some unexpected effects in her portraits. You see, some photographers like control in their photos, but Jovana prefers the random effect she gets from the way the smoke moves in the air.

I Asked Jovana about the hazards of using this technique and she says that she only shoots outside where the smoke quickly disperses.

Two things you should probably note if you are going to try this at home:

Make sure you take the necessary safety precautions: shoot outdoors; choose your location carefully, make sure nothing on the ground can catch fire (like leafs, of dry fields); have something to put out fire with. Don’t breathe this stuff.
Make sure it’s legal. While Smoke Bombs may seem like little balls of fun and while you can easily buy them on Amazon, check carefully if using them is legal in your state or country. Consult with the local fire dep. if needed. The last thing you want is the police going down on you for having a fun shoot.