Fire Images with Alpha for compositing

sagedrummer

sagedrummer

Active member
Hi
Can anyone recommend a site to get good fire images shot against black with an alpha channel that I can use to composite. I am looking to create the effect of someone being on fire while sitting down. I have found some libraries that have fire footage in them but they are all $200 +
 
Did you check out artbeats.com? They have a large selection

You can make your own fire in AE, but it usually doesn't look as good
 
Yes, they didn't have exactly what I was looking for but their clips are fairly expensive as well. Thanks anyway.
 
If your subject is not moving around you could film your own flames. Here's an idea: You could take a small model, a toy maybe, posed as close to the actor's pose, paint it flat black and place it against a flat black background. Douse it with lighter fluid or similar, light it and film it, maybe at a higher film speed if you want to slow down the flames a bit. The bigger the model the more detail there will be in the flames I should think.

Then composite that over your real person with one or more blend modes like 'Screen mode'.

I've seen that done with a paper ball before and composited over a logo I think it was.
It looked alright.

If he's moving around that might not work though. Just a thought.

Oh also, if your unable to get the composite to look right using one or more blend modes and you prefer an alpha to help the composite, try converting a copy of the flames to gray scale and set your levels/contrast so it covers the range of black to white. Render that out and bring that render in to your NLE and use it as the alpha. Although you may still have to play with the blending modes.
 
Last edited:
Do you have any friends with particle generator graphic software like Particle Illusion or After Effects? Both can generate fake fire pretty easily, certainly well enough for a simple 'seated person on fire' shot.

But if one of the free Detonation Films clips is right for your shot, than that's certainly the simple option.
 
Thanks for the responses, I actually used Action Essentials and composited their flames over the subject in Final Cut Pro and used the Add Composite Mode and it turned out great. I am going to set a paper mache head on fire tomorrow and cut those in as well. Thanks again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top