Unusual photo op - explosion.

We have to do a test on one of our machines at work to get it certified. It is basically a 600V 30A power amp driving a highly inductive load and we have to short circuit it. To put it another way we will very probably blow it up.

I may be able to get a chance to photograph it.

The obvious tip is to stay well clear of it so I am thinking of the 50-135 or the 60-250 on a tripod operated by remote control on multiple exposure.

Anyone got any other tips?

Video. HD

or

5fps continuous, 6Mpixels 6-250 from a distance. Remote. Lower res so you don't fill the buffer and can carry on at a high rate.

If its an inductive load, as the field collapses you'll get a high back emf and high current, so it should blow the fuse, or melt something badly. ) Lucky you.

I think you should approach as a lighting shot so a long shutterspeed but I've never done such a thing though

Sorry Folks - forgot to say - I have a K20, so video not an option.

Get a sheet of that polycarbonate they use on mythbusters and get in close. On ebay with alu angle make a nice box, continuous, AF and macro?

It does have the burst mode though

Mythbusters?

No sorry, none of them around.

Instead we will have to settle for our Doctors and one Professor.

Poor substitute.

Anyone done any serious engineering photography?

from my limited experience of filming explosions, unless you have a high-speed camera, you won't get a good looking movie sadly - on ordinary 24/5-frame shooting the best bits are always between frames...

You might get something fun if you treat it like photographing fireworks - e.g. tight apature and 1-ish sec exposure, especially if there is a long spark trail.

It is a bit hit and miss. Try and ensure the whole area is very brightly lit, too.

An addition/alternative to Flossie's suggestion is the long exposure with a flash (less ambient light). You'll see the equipment and any spark arcs. But you can get longer exposures. I've done a fair but of painting with light using led torches (read sparks). If the camera will do continuous 3-5s exposures with a flash at the start , or just sit there clicking the remote. You might need ND filter.

You'll be able to test this (with the led torch) set the whole rig up and drag the torch about to see your effects.

(BTW, Mythbusters are on freeview, they capture ballistic/explosive/critical moments every episode, they generally show/tell how they get the images. They are highly serious as its how they get paid)

Thanks for the thoughts. I appreciate I am going to be very lucky to get anything worthwhile at all.

As to the mythbusters thing, they are to rigorous science what Florence Nightingale was to infections. There shows may be spectacular, but are mostly nonsense - a bit like Brainiac expecting to be taken seriously.

Never met Flo Nite and never seen Braniac, Mythbusters aren't rigorous scientists but they usually get the money shot.

http://xkcd.com/397/

Ouch!

Any ideas of your own?

Dear Oggy,

I've found something today that may assist you in your endeavours - but be careful!

[IMG]http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy9/i_berg/Goldfields/_IGP1044R.jpg[/IMG]

Mythbusters is not too bad It's certainly orders of magnitude more scientific than Braniac is!