worth the effort?

[nicoking11]

took me ages to get it just as the sparks were there...

[RovingMike]

Yes why not? But the metal is over-lit for me.

[nimbus]

Darkening the metal would indeed help this, not too much as you would lose the context.

[nicoking11]

Darkening the metal would indeed help this, not too much as you would lose the context.

how would i darken just the metal? i don't have photoshop, and im not sure if you can do it on photobucket (which is what i use to upload my pictures to this forum)

[PhilW]

how would i darken just the metal? i don't have photoshop, and im not sure if you can do it on photobucket (which is what i use to upload my pictures to this forum)

Probably easiest to re-shoot with less light, or a darker exposure.

It might just need the light angle shifting slightly so there isn't that bright reflection up top.

Bat all that being said I like this - good inventive stuff. And a fair bit of trial and error needed i bet

[AlexMonro]

I think I'd like to see all of the top of the lighter. But definitely worth the effort.

[Mitchell]

If you're a Canon shooter, the DPP software is simple to get used to. Shoot RAW and then reduce the shadows in DPP. This technique will be even more effective if you underexpose a bit more.

In general, I think the composition and lighting require more thought. Also, don't crop off the lid and show me more of the lighter's guts. If you think you're going to miss the shot, you can make your life a bit easier by closing the aperture down further and slowing the shutter. You'll need a tripod.