Russian photographer Stanislav Aristov’s matches series has been getting some well-deserved attention lately. To create these sculptures, he bends and molds the matches while they’re burning. He then photographs them, as well as the flames and smoke, using a macro lens and studio flash.

Here’s a sample of photos from the series:

To add a level of depth to the project, Aristov explains that, to him, the burning matches represent life:

“…there is the burnt part representing the past, the smoke of memories and the untouched part of the match the future…the fire is life.”

There’s probably some Photoshop involved here (as far as we know, fire doesn’t shape itself quite that perfectly) but the series is impressive regardless. To see more you can visit his website or check out the entire series on 500px.

(via TRENDLAND)

Image Credits: Photography by Stanislav Aristov and used with permission.