An abridged method for high speed shadowgraph and diffraction based imaging of combusting sprays, capable to discern among spray and flame regions is presented and discussed. The measurements were done in a pressure and temperature controlled combustion chamber under conditions similar to those prevailing in a direct injected diesel engine. A set of examples are shown where the visualisation and localisation of the liquid and gas phases of reacting sprays are possible regardless of the injection sequence which is implemented. Further, the penetration of the liquid and gas phases can be measured along a single injection with the possibility of doing spray characterisation and combusting studies of a single spray spatially resolved and as fun...