Capturing the Fire: Photographing the Shiozuka Highlands Grassland Burning

Every year, the Shiozuka Highlands in Shikoku are set ablaze—not by accident, but as part of a controlled burning tradition. This event transforms the landscape into a dramatic scene of fire, smoke, and deep color contrasts, making it a fascinating subject for photography. This year, I set out to document the experience, adapting my approach as the event unfolded.

Expectations vs. Reality

Going in, I had envisioned a landscape-focused shoot, expecting to take my time composing wide, cinematic shots. I planned for late-evening photography, anticipating deep blues in the sky complementing the fire’s glow. However, the entire event wrapped up much faster than expected, finishing around 6:30 PM. While I missed the deep evening tones, the smoke filtered the sunlight beautifully, creating a manageable dynamic range and a strong contrast between cyan and orange hues.

The experience turned out to be more of an event shoot than a landscape session, with fast-paced movement and unpredictable elements. The fire spread quickly, and people were scattered across the fields, making long exposures impractical. Instead, I found myself reacting in real-time, adjusting settings, and moving fast to capture fleeting moments.

Gear & Adaptability

One of my biggest takeaways? Versatility matters more than perfection. I originally intended to rely on a wide-angle zoom but ended up using a 180mm prime for half the event, simply because there wasn’t time to swap lenses. Later, I switched to a 28-105mm, still on manual focus, as I had only brought one adapter. Shooting with manual focus in a high-paced setting added another layer of difficulty, but in the end, I still managed to capture some strong images.

To compensate for the fast action, I opted for higher ISOs and faster shutter speeds over absolute image quality. It was the right call—sharp, well-timed images trump noise-free but blurred shots.

If I were to do it again, I’d bring a superzoom like a 28-200mm or even a 28-400mm. This event wasn’t about the highest possible image quality—it was about adaptability, and a flexible focal range would have helped immensely.

Key Takeaways for Future Shoots

  1. Arriving early isn’t crucial for shooting, but it helps with parking. The best spots fill up fast, and the nearest alternative parking requires a one-hour trek.

  2. A tripod setup won’t guarantee the best shots. The fire’s unpredictable movement and shifting crowds mean handheld shooting (or a monopod) is often the better choice.

  3. Think in terms of a photo set, not just a single hero shot. Unlike traditional landscape photography, where one perfect frame might stand out, event photography is about telling a story across multiple images. In this case, the images work best as a sequence rather than individual masterpieces.

Final Thoughts & Full Gallery

Despite the unexpected challenges, the shoot was a success. High shutter speed images and slow-motion video worked out best, capturing the intensity of the flames and smoke in motion. The experience was a great reminder that plans are just a starting point—true creativity comes from adapting in the moment.

If you’re planning to photograph an event like this, I hope this breakdown helps you make the most of it!