4 minute read
TWISTED FIRESTARTER A Cardiff photographer lights up the city
I’M A FIRESTARTER
Mister P, the founder of Cardiff Shooters, is one of the city’s most talked-about photographers. Here he tells us about his dangerous and daring technique of whipping molten metal around his head and sacrificing his own safety to get that perfect shot By Lisa Evans
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Adog lead, a whisk, and molten metal: not the usual essentials for a photographer, but Neil Pesticcio – or Mister P, as he’s known in Cardiff – isn’t any regular camera guy. His speciality is ‘spinning’ – which is effectively whipping a fire ball at great speed above his head in order to capture, in a snapshot, the light trails as red-hot particles fling for metres in every direction. It’s as dangerous as it sounds. Don’t try this at home, folks…
So what exactly is your method of ‘spinning’, Mister P? My main tools would be a dog lead, a metal chain link for the added weight and fire safety, and on the end of it, I have a normal household whisk. Bear with me...
I use very fine wire wool, which I cut and separate and then insert into the whisk, then I light the wire wool until it glows red in colour. Once glowing, I have to oxygenate the wire wool or it won’t do anything but die out. To do that, I get into the action of ‘spinning’ – rotating and whipping the contraption above my head in a continued halo motion. This is where the fun happens. The wire wool burns so hot it flings out red-hot balls of molten metal.
With the camera set up and on the correct settings, you capture these amazing light trails. This can be very dangerous, so always check the location and surroundings, and check for people! It’s always advisable to carry a bottle of water for obvious reasons. I’ve never caused damage to an area I’m working in, thankfully.
What draws you to it? I love the danger and creative chaos side of it. I like making really unusual but beautiful images that leave people wondering and trying to work out how it’s done. I also kind of like that this style of photography is underground right now and not as big as it probably should be.
Mister P uses the city as a playground to experiment with new techniques to see what he can bring out of the dark. Here he is practising his spinning skills in Cardiff Bay
More Cardiff Bay lightplay
Holding fire in Penarth
What’s your passion for this risky style? I started my photography journey by taking candid pictures of people throughout the daytime in Cardiff city centre and the bay, capturing the people of this city and their energy in a candid street edge vibe. Then I started taking shots of the landscapes and cityscapes; and I was fascinated with how things changed at night. The more time I spent exploring, my passion, curiosity and creativity grew. Using the city as a playground to experiment with new techniques and skills, I wanted to push the images further and see what I could bring out of the dark. I also enjoy honing the art of low-light photography around the city – using the light and energy to show the brightness that I see bustling throughout it.
You’re the founder of Cardiff Shooters, too...Cardiff Shooters is all about connecting everyone from amateurs to professionals to share knowledge, experiences and ideas.
We arrange events throughout the year and all are welcome to attend.
Our meets and events can range from photo walks to light trails, and we help promote the abundance of talent in Cardiff.
Can you remember the first photo you ever took? I must have been around 10. My mother sent me to summer group at Chapter Arts in Canton and it was a photography day. The first photograph I took was when we were out on the streets as a group of kids snapping away. There was a bully in the group, and I was answering back trying to show I wasn’t afraid and he stuck his finger up at me, so I whipped the camera out and caught him throwing the bird. I had the photograph confiscated and never saw it again. n
For more: @mis7er.p / www.cardiffshooters.uk
The Welsh National War Memorial offering a dramatic backdrop
In a spin outside Wales Millennium Centre
Light-headed in Cardiff Bay
Pontcanna Fields’ Blackweir Bridge in a blaze of glory
