Flaming Hair

[HotHolly]

Has anyone tried the rubber cement for fire/ flames technique (if u can call it that) on synthetic hair? Im wondering if it just melts, or if it will burn?

I need to get a shot of hair being blown in the wind, with flaming purple tips. And no, Im not lighting someone on fire.

I was going to piece it together in three stages: shoot model with wig on, shoot wig on fire (hopefully containing flames to ends of hair), and then merging and intensifying/ altering color in PS.

Anyone have a better idea? I think the wig may just melt. Ive seen the rubber cement on flaming basketballs and need a similar effect on hair.

[J Eddington]

Where is a barbie when you need it?

[Flores]

maybe you can put some kind of flame retardant on the hair except for the end of the strands?

[TxLerman]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

Has anyone tried the rubber cement for fire/ flames technique (if u can call it that) on synthetic hair? Im wondering if it just melts, or if it will burn?

I need to get a shot of hair being blown in the wind, with flaming purple tips. And no, Im not lighting someone on fire.

I was going to piece it together in three stages: shoot model with wig on, shoot wig on fire (hopefully containing flames to ends of hair), and then merging and intensifying/ altering color in PS.

Anyone have a better idea? I think the wig may just melt. Ive seen the rubber cement on flaming basketballs and need a similar effect on hair.

Flaming Hair? Holly as a chemical engineer, I can tell you that what type of flame you get depends on the particular synthetic material and the temperature of the flame you use for ignition. Most synthetics are a form of plastic. Plastic can produce a flame, and it has a high melting piont. How well it works for you depends on the temperature of the flame you use to ignite the material. One way to produce more flame would be to a add a fuel to the mix. You mentioned rubber cement, but I have never ignited rubber cement. I do not suggest gasoline or diesel unless you want a really smokey flame. Alcohols will burn with less smoke and soot. Methanol has a near invisible flame. Ethanol might be better.

As an alternative to becoming a closet arsonist, why not try taking a picture of a fire, like a fireplace or campfire and then PS the flames into the shape you want? I have seen tutorials on this effect. See: Create a Flaming Hair Effect in Photoshop

[texkam]

Consult Pepsi.



Good luck. Can't wait to see the image!

[HotHolly]

thanks for the info. david, not wanting to burn stuff at all, but needing more of a glowing flame on the tips of long hair. i thought about using a candle flame and PSing it on each strand of hair. that would suck, and i think it would still look screwy. i remembered seeing a "bride on fire" shot and that it was a combo of images that were reassembled. i was hoping to find something like that.

[picman]

Lots of hair products are flammable- hair spray, jells, etc. (my wife used to be district manger for a beauty supply chain) Several coats of hair spray should lite off quick. There is a video at the end of this page that shows the effect. Hair Fire Investigations, Skin Fire Investigation (warning - site also shows burn victim photo). Be careful!

[JWCustomPhotography]

Holly, Im curious, how did this ever turn out?