Painting with Light...

Painting with light is a fun technique that gives great results. It is called painting with light because this is what you are actually doing while taking the shot - painting with light.

You don't need much to experiment with this kind of shot, just make sure you have the following items:

 1. A camera capable of long exposures - film cameras will work OK, but if you really want to get the most out of the shooting session, use a digital camera. You will be able to see the results in "real time" and make corrections as you go.

2. A nice tripod. Since you will be doing some long exposures you want to make sure your camera sits still. If you don't have a tripod you can make one in a few minutes (see this article or this one).

3. A flash light, laser pointer, or other hand held light source.

4. A dark location.  At home - a dark room will be OK. If you are going to shoot outside - make sure that you are not doing this under a street light, or where a car can come by and "paint its headlight" all over your shot.

5. Set the exposure to a relatively long value, start at ten seconds, stop down the aperture as much as you need. If you are outside do nothing. If you are inside - this is the time to turn off the lights. 

 

 6. Once the shutter is open use your flashlight to light what you want to "paint". You can use the flashlight as a brush, and "smear" the light, just like you would have done with brush and paper. Or, you can use the light as a pen, and do precise work. Areas where you go slowly will be more lit then others. Be careful not to linger too much over the same spot or you will burn it. Once the shutter closes, turn on the lights and Inspect your image and make corrections.

The accompanying photos are from a session I attended at the Photography Adventure Club in Phoenix http://www.photographersadventureclub.com/photography_specials/