In a light painting you're using a bright light as the "paint" and the space in front of you as the "canvas". You'll need a camera that will give a long exposure, a tripod or table to stand it on to avoid camera shake, a source of light such as a small torch, and a dark location.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: The planning of a light painting usually takes longer than the creation.
Here's How:
- Plan out before you start how you will need to move the torch to paint the image you want. Remember, turning the torch off enables you to break a line. Moving it fast for a thin line and slower for a fatter line.
Although you will be in the photograph, if you move around enough you'll "dissolve" and won't appear. If you're stationery and only move your arm with the torch, or move only a little, you will most likely appear in the photo. - Set up the camera and tripod, check the focus for where you'll be, set the longest exposure possible, then either use a remote control or the timer to start taking the photo. A remote control has the advantage that you can position yourself where you want to start painting with the light in anticipation of the shot.
- When the camera shutter opens, start moving the light where you'd planned to paint with it. It takes a bit of practice as unlike painting on a canvas you can't see where you've already been! It's particularly tricky to join up where you started painting a line. Light painting is definitely good visualization practice, great for reducing subjects down to the minimum needed to convey them. Broad swooping gestures are easier to paint than fine, small maneuvers.
- Check your finished light painting and, if something in it isn't quite right, start painting again. Remember it's meant to be fun, so don't stress if you end up doing a painting multiple times.
What You Need:
- A small torch.
- A camera that gives a long exposure.
- A tripod or table to stand the camera on.
- A dark location.
- A plan in your mind of how you'll move the torch to paint with the light.
