The previous attempt didn’t succeed in igniting the steel wool. We tried using a lighter back then. This time, we used a battery with both poles on one side, which, according to a YouTube video, is more effective. The first one was relatively easy to ignite, but after that, it became quite challenging. However, I kept trying until it finally worked. I likely overthought it based on the video. It doesn’t need to catch a large flame; even 3-4 sparks are enough to start spinning, which then gets it going. I didn’t time how long it sparked, but I’d estimate somewhere between 1-2 minutes. The spinning speed also affects it. The faster you spin, the more it sparks, but it also burns out quicker. There are guides online, but I wasn’t thorough enough, so the string scraped the skin off my hands in two places. It’s not pleasant, so definitely use gloves. This was the first substantial test, and I’m sure I’ll be experimenting with this technique more. I was with Dani Kajsa at István Akna. This is more of a two-person show, one person spins it while the other handles the cameras. I lost my remote shutter release again, so I couldn’t have started it, except maybe with a self-timer, which is risky due to the ignition.

The settings are roughly ISO 100-200, f/8-10, and at least a 5-second shutter speed, but it can easily go longer, up to 30 seconds. It depends on how many sparks you want in the shot and the location. In enclosed spaces, a shorter shutter speed should be enough, but in open areas, you can easily go over 10-20 seconds. More experiments to follow.