Catch the light: The aim of this Instructable is to capture the spectacular light, image, reflections and highlights caused by the light source using ordinary digital camera - here I have used different kind of candles to produce light and reflections.

Step 1: Hurricane Shell With Rose Petals

This photograph captures the light reflected through a hurricane shell. The rose petals embedded in the wax shell forms beautiful patterns on the shell as well as on the ground.

Photograph taken with Canon PowerShot A550 in complete darkness without the use of flash and the camera kept firmly on the floor.

The photo details are Focal Length 5.8 mm, Shutter Speed 1/5 sec with an aperture f/2.6 and ISO 200.

Step 2: Patterns Formed by Votive

The photograph of the burning votive was taken in Macro-mode in complete darkness. The pattern on the glass container has produced a very dramatic effect of lights around the votive. You can experiment with different patterned glasses for various effects.

Photo Details: Camera: Canon PowerShot A550, Focal Length: 5.8 mm, Shutter Speed: 1/5 sec, Aperture: f/2.6 and ISO: 200.

Step 3: Floating Candles

The flower shaped candle was actually floating on water when photographed in complete darkness. The light reflected in water made a soft effect around the candle.

Step 4: Balloon Luminary

The shell was made using a water-filled balloon with light green colored wax. The tea-light candle floating in water was captured in complete darkness without flash.

Photo Details: Camera: Canon PowerShot A550, Focal Length: 5.8 mm, Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec, Aperture: f/2.6 and ISO: 400.

Step 5: Candles on the Wall

The month of Karthigai in Tamil Nadu, India, starts with a festival of lights. We light oil lamps in earthenware pots or candles over the compound wall or parapet during night.

The first photograph of the tea-light candles burning on the wall was taken keeping the camera still. Very minute upward movement of the camera during exposure created the illusion of the lights on the entire wall (Second picture). However, a fast movement upwards in the third photo formed arcs of light towards the sky.

Step 6: Another Floating Candle in a Bowl

The flower-pattern on the bowl was highlighted by the boat-shaped candle burning inside. Photograph taken in complete darkness without flash.

Step 7: A Designer Candle

The tea-light burning inside these designer shells looks like an LED with a somewhat faster shutter speed.

Photo Details: Camera: Panasonic DMC-ZS20, Focal Length: 13 mm, Shutter Speed: 1/40 sec, Aperture: f/3.3 and ISO: 400

Step 8: Cameras Used

I have used Cannon Power Shot A-550 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Digital Cameras to record above pictures. Though the Panasonic is a much advanced one, they both are normal digital cameras and not SLRs.

Hope you enjoyed this instructable...