What makes an event truly memorable, big or small, is the magic of effects, whether it's LED string lights twinkling at night or cold spark fountains illuminating a wedding reception.

What do these two effects have in common?

They don't require fire.

While pyrotechnics have been synonymous with stage effects for decades, they're inherently more risky than alternatives like cryo Jets, low-lying fog, intelligent lighting design, and cold spark fountains. These alternatives allow production designers and event planners to bring thrilling immersive experiences to life and promote them as safe.

Learn more about these alternative effects to pyrotechnics, including creative applications for various events.   

If you want to create the mesmerizing impact of fireworks without the use of gunpowder, cold spark fountains offer a safe, comparable alternative.

Cold spark fountains create dazzling displays of glowing cold sparks. This result is created by a special composite of zirconium and granulated titanium. While there is a controlled heating process required to create the sparks, spark temperatures don't exceed 62°F.

Cold spark fountains have an impressive height, with sparks reaching 8 to 15 feet high. They don't produce smoke, odors, or loud booming sounds that can harm sensitive ears. 

Since they don't damage interiors when handled properly, you can install cold spark fountains indoors, making them a popular spectacle for weddings, holiday galas, and brand launches.

Sources like Surge FX Special Effects & Lighting also offer plenty of information on outdoor cold spark fountains for safe festival effects at parks or private estates. These devices are safe to install on stages, creating a brilliant backdrop behind the band. 

When photographing events with cold spark fountains, use a smaller aperture to capture a starburst look. To produce a softer glow, widen the camera's aperture. Importantly, disable your camera's direct flash; cold sparks produce plenty of light, and a flash may wash out the effect.

If you want to recreate those iconic stage pyrotechnic moments without the fire risk, CO2 Cryo Jets are your best alternative. They're frequently used at electronic music festivals, rock concerts, and pop music tours. 

The effect is created by pressurized liquid carbon dioxide, resulting in towering "plumes" of white fog. These plumes can reach up to 28 feet in height. They also disappear instantly without leaving a trace of smoke.

Cryo Jet machines do release a signature hiss as they release the fog, a sound that DJs and artists often adapt into their live sets. 

Since cryo jet fog disappears quickly, you'll want to set your camera to continuous shooting (or burst mode) to capture the effect in photos.

Switching gears to a softer, more whimsical atmosphere, low-lying fog effects add an enchanting touch to a fairytale wedding, live musical, or holiday stage event. They're also a safe choice for Halloween experiences like family-friendly haunted houses. Low-lying fog is also used in pop concerts with creative production design.

How do production designers create this effect?

Low-lying fog can be created by dry ice machines or with an ultrasonic water-based device. The latter method produces an even thicker fog that lasts longer. Low-lying fog can reach up to 2 feet above the ground. 

Releasing low-lying fog into a crowd creates the experience of "dancing on a cloud." Since the fog stays low to the ground, it doesn't obscure faces in wedding or event photography. When taking photos, find decent backlighting to capture the fog, but use a tripod to prevent motion blur.

Combining IoT-connected lighting systems with haze machines creates a dynamic event effect, perfect for large stage productions like concerts.

IoT lighting uses smart sensors and software applications to produce energy-efficient lighting experiences. They can be integrated with stage controllers, facilitating more colorful and textured lighting design. This technology also allows event planners to promote certain stage productions as eco-conscious.

The added effect of atmospheric haze adds even more dimension to an event, especially as moving lights illuminate the particles, creating rays of light or light curtains. Use a wide-angle camera lens if you really want to capture that dimension.

You don't have to dial down your vision. In fact, turn it up a notch with low-risk special effects like cold spark fountains, C02 cryo jets, low-lying fog, and intelligent lighting designs.

Adapt your photography to bring out the best in these effects, delivering a memorable experience across all mediums, from live events to photos and videography.