Muzzle Flash Photography

[alpinehawk]

I took my camera to the range last night to capture some muzzle flashes from our pistols. We had a 1911, Bersa Thunder in 45, Taurus OSS and two revolvers. The images turned out very well so we'll definitely be doing this again.

Check it out if you're interested: http://www.hawkinwinter.com/weblog/2011/04/shooting-in-the-dark-how-to-do-muzzle-flash-photography

 

[gatorjames85]

Very cool! Your security six pictures show why .357 has so much concussion and noise.

 

[alpinehawk]

Thanks. The security six didn't have a ton of recoil for all that muzzle flash. It was all steel so the weight probably compensated for the recoil. Maybe the gap in front of the cylinder also acts as a brake?

My favorite was the Bersa and the difference between the standard 45 and +P.

 

[Hypnogator]

Have you tried using a slave strobe set to activate at the muzzle flash? Would give you an awesome picture properly exposed, but with the bright muzzle flash.

 

[alpinehawk]

Thats a great idea. I'll try that next time along with a tighter frame around the pistol and lower lighting. I used bulb exposure since I wanted to capture multiple shots.

 

[Smaug]

You could also shoot HD video and grab frames here and there. Sometimes, you may miss the flash, but at 30 gps, it won't take long to get it.

 

[M.Cunningham]

Excellent photos! Great job.

 

[Japle]

Here's a .357 AutoMag fired in total darkness.

The load was a 90 gr Sierra over 33.0 of WW296 powder. Velocity was 2496 fps.

 

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Here is 17 grs Black Powder in broad daylight in a little 32 caliber pistol.

 

[osteodoc08]

Absolutely awesome guys. I love to see a ported gun with the flames coming out of the ports. I had some of my XD V-10 but I can't seem to find them.

 

[alpinehawk]

Nice pics! I'm going to try this again in a few weeks with lower lighting and higher ISO for more light sensitivity. I have a few hot loads I want to try out as well. When I get the pictures I'll post them here.

 

[Dstoerm]

JAPLE, that's awesome.

 

[joeq]

Those revolver pics are perfect for explaining to a newbie why you can't put your thumb next to the cylinder gap. Very nice pics.

 

[Japle]

Here's another night shot.
Ruger Security Six loaded with a 90 gr 9mm JHP over a case FULL of WW296.

The powder was way too slow burning for such a light bullet in a 4" barrel. Most of the powder burned in front of the gun.

 

[BrocLuno]

Wow - way cool

 

[roadliner]

Nice pics. 2400 or W296 always creates a flash. I used to load 180 jhp for my 8 3/8" Virginian Dragoon. Even in daylight you could see a basketball sized ball of fire off the end of the barrel.

 

[Dstoerm]

Yeah, I'd say a great deal of the powder was wasted outside the barell, but it makes for a very nice picture.


-D