Having always been fascinated with tornados, photographer Ryan Hopkinson decided to create his own instead of giving up his day job to become a storm chaser. Forgoing the typical water whirlpool illusion, Ryan Hopkinson uses colorful smoke and wind to create delicate representations of one of the most destructive natural disasters, which he then captures on his camera.
Based in Clapton, United Kingdom, Ryan Hopkinson's tricky setup was dependent on many factors including ceiling height and studio climate. After a lot of trial and error, he managed to create 20 mini tornados. Ryan Hopkinson writes, "[It] was a big juxtaposition in many ways between natures own, but being able to create one and see it up close, regardless of its size and power was mesmerising."
What's Driving This Trend
- Smoke-based Photography
- Reinventing the art of photography by creating delicate representations of natural disasters using colors and smoke.
- Innovative Studio Setups
- Creating unique setups that enable photographers to capture creative and breathtaking photos of complex natural phenomena.
- Recreating Natural Disasters in Controlled Environments
- Replicating the raw beauty of nature and utilizing its elements to create captivating art in a studio environment.
Who This Affects Most
- Photography
- There is an opportunity for photographers to experiment and innovate by incorporating inventive approaches to traditional photography.
- Design and Advertising
- Design and advertising industries can take inspiration and innovate their artistic works by integrating smoke-based photography techniques.
- Entertainment and Film
- Opportunities in the entertainment and film industry to use these techniques to create special effects and for art direction in future projects.
