Before photographing Fire, one must learn to read light. Exposure is the heart of every photograph. It determines what the camera perceives: the shadows, the flames, the textures of the scene. With Fire, this concept becomes crucial, because the light is not stable — it pulses, flickers, and bursts.

What is exposure?

Exposure depends on three parameters: shutter speed, aperture, and ISO sensitivity. These three elements form what photographers call the exposure triangle. Their balance determines how much light reaches the camera sensor.

• Shutter speed: controls how long the light enters the camera.
• Aperture: controls the size of the lens opening (f/2.8, f/8, f/16…)
• ISO: defines how sensitive the sensor is to light.

Fire – a living light

Fire emits its own light. Unlike a subject lit by a flash or studio light, it creates areas of extreme brightness and deep shadow. Proper exposure means preserving detail within the flames while keeping the rest of the scene visible. The challenge is to capture the balance — not to let the light overwhelm the image, nor to lose its energy in darkness.

Simple practical advice

• Shoot in full manual mode (M) to maintain total control over your settings.
• Use your camera’s histogram to ensure that highlights are not overexposed or “burned out.”
• Take several test shots before each sequence to find the right balance between the flame and its environment.

To understand light is to understand Fire itself. Before seeking artistic effects, mastering exposure remains the key to successful Fire Photography.