Ken Hermann makes art with a bang. The Copenhagen-based photographer captures explosions milliseconds after detonation. "The moment it goes off, you get this picture with so much energy," says Hermann, 38, "but it's frozen in the moment."

Hermann, who shoots portraits and commercial work by day, began his Explosion series in 2014. At first, he made up miniature art-bombs using fireworks and bags of flour. "It's surprisingly flammable - and gives this nice, big flame," he says. "But it got a little too dangerous."

To avoid nasty accidents, Hermann now enlists the help of a professional pyrotechnician, using gunpowder and lamp oil. "The explosions are all controlled from a safe distance; some fireworks are modified a bit to get the right feel." Capturing the images requires adapted lights and ultra-fast shutter speeds. "It's tricky, you're trying to light an explosion you haven't seen," he explains. But the aim isn't bombast, it's quite the opposite. "I want it even more controlled - more fine art," Hermann says. Still, he's having a blast: "You never know what goes off."

This article was originally published by WIRED UK