Fog machine sports team photos

[wilgk]

I am wondering if any members have any experience of using a fog machine with their photography.
I am thinking of using one for my junior Basketballer team photos coming up.
Any experiences anyone can relate would be much appreciated.
Thankyou
Kay

[Rob Ekins]

What do you want to achieve with the fog Kay?

There are many different types of "Fog" machines, some generate smoke effects some haze effects others a low lying foggy grave yard horror movie look.

If you would like to PM me your phone number I could give you a call to chat about what you want to do and depending on where you are in Vic I could put you onto a rental company.

Robbie.

[Colin Southern]

I have a couple of fairly high-powered ones, but inside they're a bit of PITA because if you don't nail the effect quickly, within a minute of two the fog spreads and you have to wait (ages) for it to clear. Outside it's not so bad, but then again, it's not as effective either.

I don't use them much ...

Sometimes water spray works better, eg

[wilgk]

Thanks guys, the senior mens teams here, have a smoke machine pumping as they are announced onto the court at the games, & the fog/smoke haze has a bit of a link with Basketball in that way.
So I thought it would maybe add some mood to my junior team photo setups, I am using a black brick wall as a background in their gym, with some stick on fake patches of regular brick wall with the team name and the year ((#2K14) is how they type it on their social media promos) in stick on graffiti lettering.
So the grunge tough Basketballer as opposed to the sweet smiling one is my thought.
Here below are some examples of what I've seen that I like - I wonder were these 'real' or a mist/fog effect added later?
I'm trying to do as much 'real' as I can rather than too many hours of editing onto a whole new background.
Although Colin with our weather lately this coming weekend could be 38 degrees, so a water mist fan might be a much better idea!
I'm not sure about the Bear in the last one, is he real? - this team are 'Stingrays' so we wont be trying to get one of them into the stadium!
Robbie, a mate has lent me a machine, so I dont need to hire, but I do wish I had an old gym locker, for a prop in the Individual shots, maybe I can try & hire one of those.
examples below are photos from the internet used to show the ideas.
thanks again
K

[chauncey]

After having the aggravation of taking group shots of my kids, picture trying to herd cats in your mind, I would do whatever I could to simplify things...like using dry ice to make a low laying fog.

[Colin Southern]

I think if it were me, I'd add it in post later. Easier to do one the team are out the way - plus, the lighting would need to be reconfigured anyway -- plus plus is would take several shots for the right effect.

[Rob Ekins]

Kay.

I am not sure if you are shooting the team as a group or individuals or both.

If it is a group in the shot I would shoot the team and the smoke separately for the reasons mentioned above. Also smoke is not as easy to light as you would think, lighting placement is pretty important, lights that you place to emphasise the smoke may cast shadows over the subjects.

If it is individuals, smoke during the shots might be fun for the kids move through and pose in, you might get some good images if you keep the lighting positions to a minimum.

Either way you have a machine so give it a try

Oh and don't forget to isolate the smoke detectors and have a fire marshall in the gym when you are using the machine for test shots and the real thing, in Sydney the fine for a fire brigade call out is $400ish an appliance, when a school or a high rise is involved they send plenty..

Robbie.