Leftover embers in my wood-burning stove. The foreground is crumpled paper that didn't burn thoroughly; makes for some interesting folds, colors, and patterns. There is still a bit of fire left in them.

Ashes and Embers at my website, Brilliant Photography by Richard X. Thripp.

Canon Rebel XTi, EF 50mm 1:1.4, 1/30, F1.8, 50mm, ISO1600, 2008-02-28T21:00:45-05, 20080229-020045rxt

Source image. I burned in the highlights a bit, made the colors redder, and added contrast. I was hand-holding the camera and the scene was dim, so I went up to ISO1600; the original is grainy. It's nice grain, though, which I kept, though you can't see it except at higher resolutions.

Keywords: ashes embers red dark burn burning ash ember paper hot fading flickering flames fireplace night heat subdued fire wood-burning stove crumpled paper folds colors patterns shadows richardxthripp photography elements conceptual macro