This month, I am going to talk about a technique that uses long shutter speeds and white or coloured lights. This technique is called light painting, sometimes referred to as light graffiti. But despite the current nomenclature, this technique has been around for many years. Gjon Mili, a freelance photographer for Life magazine from 1939 to his death in 1984, was one of the first to capture light graffiti.
In 1945, these photos of figure skater Carol Lynne were published in the March 26th issue of Life Magazine:
The effects of her movements were illustrated by flashlights that were affixed to the skates, and he creates the images using stroboscopic light. It was this series of photos that he showed to Picasso in 1949 that inspired Picasso to impulsively create this “space drawing” of The Centaur:
We can easily experiment with light painting with very little equipment:
Camera
Whether you choose to use film or digital is your choice, depending on what is available to you. Digital will offer “instant gratification” but film may be used. Regardless of your choice, your camera must have long exposure availability.
Tripod/Steady surface
Because light graffiti requires extremely long exposure times, you will require a tripod or steady surface for your camera. A remote control, while not required, will reduce further camera shake.
Light Source
There is a wide array of light sources that can be used to light paint. Not only are there keychains with LED lights in many colours, but other items to use can include laser pointers, Glow poi (as photographed below), glowsticks, lighters, candles, car head and tail lights, sparklers, fireworks, flashlights, bike lights – use your imagination!
(Photo by Hendrik Kueck, using Sony DSC-W1 at f/2.8, 10 sec., ISO 200)
Let’s paint!
Set up your tripod and make sure that it is secure and level, especially if you are photographing outdoors. Remember, your location needs to be very dark – inside the house in a dark room (make sure there is no secondary light source from a window or other room) or outside, away from street lights and cars!
Set your aperture to the smallest setting (i.e. the largest number – usually f/22) to allow the least amount of light in.
Your shutter speed will depend on the effect that you are seeking. The longer the shutter speed, the more light effects will appear. Experiment with different times – this is where digital comes in handy!
Once you press the shutter, begin to “paint”. You can draw images using various coloured lights or just randomly squiggle a light for a cool effect – again, just experiment!
A few things to remember:
1) With a long exposure, you will see your image in the photo if you remain static. To lessen the effect, move quickly and do not linger in one spot for very long.
2) The same holds true to lights – try to keep the light always moving to avoid bright points of light, unless that is the effect you want.
3) Have fun!!
Toxel.com has 20 incredible examples of light graffiti here and you can click here to see incredible works by the famous German group, Lichtfaktor. Another light graffiti artist, Michael Bosanko, has some jaw-dropping examples on his website, as well.
Now that you are inspired, are you ready for some Hands On Photography practice?
Your November assignment:
Using this tutorial as a guide, create your own light graffiti. Experiment with your light sources and shutter speeds to achieve different results.
Deadline: November 30th, 2009
Please submit your photo(s), along with camera settings, using our submission form linked above for a chance to be entered into our draw. A randomly chosen entry will be drawn after the deadline. Please click here to review the rules regarding this draw before submitting. Please note – submissions that do not include camera settings will NOT be posted on the blog, or entered into the drawing.
ETA: When submitting your photo, please include a brief description of what you used so we can see the different effects of varying light sources!
Please stay tuned for more information about our November prize package!
Thanks for playing along this month – can’t wait to see your submissions! And watch for our Winter 2009/10 issue of Canadian Scrapbooker, coming to newstands and mailboxes near you in December!
Happy Clicking!
Sue has been behind a camera for more than 25 years, working professionally as a photographer for the last ten years. While she began the hobby of scrapbooking in 2000, as a complement to her photographer career, it soon grew into a rival passion! Sue loves to enlarge one of her favourite photos and make it the focal point of her page, using her supplies to bring the focus onto her photography. She has, in recent years, turned more to scrapbooking "moments" rather than "events", choosing to leave her children more insight into her point of view of their lives.
Great read, thanks for putting it up.
What a cool technique, I will have to give it a try, I am sure my kids would love to help me with it.
So cool, I need to try some of these!
This is so cool…we do this with sparklers when we are camping. I have the kids spell out their names and it is amazing that we acn actually read them…sometimes!
wow…this is great
Loved it
Cool looking! Great effect!
this is cool…reminds me of the effect I get when I have taken pics of the kids with those sparklers out in the night.
I love it!
thanks for the easy to follow instructions!
I can’t wait to try this!
Oh we did this with glow in the dark bracelets while camping this summer, was soo fun! hhmm going camping again this weekend I think we need to do more again!!!
HOPping by!
Cool…thanks for the great info.
I have to admit, this is the most interesting article–probably one I won’t use in practice–but I really loved reading it!! So very informative!!! almost historical, in nature!
Oh I want to try this technique. Thanks!
This again only happens to me by accident so I would love to try it for real
Wow! Wow! Wow! I want to re read this … love the concept
cool technique. I will have to give it a go.
Oh, I have to give this a try.
I could only dream of doing something like this! Wonderful technique!
This would be fun to try with the kids this weekend while we’re waiting for the fireworks to begin!
Wow!! What a great information.
Cool!!!!
Awesome! We did this with our jack o’lanterns before… moved them around, but now I’ll have tips to do it so much better!
ooooooh! I want to try this one! I have some glow sticks to use and kids to help me!
FUN! I have to try it!
OK THIS was fascinating! I’ve always wondered how to get that effect! I’m excited to try this! I’m off to the loonie store for some glow sticks!
amazing! love it! thanks
Now this would be a good kid craft. Fun! Tripod would be the key on this one.
Thanks
Sandra d.
I have never heard of this before. Very informative!
OMG!! How cool and amazing would this be to capture??!!
I can’t wait to try this one! Thanks
That is about the coolest thing I think I’ve ever seen!! I’ve GOT to try this! Thanks!
Wow! Those are the neatest pictures! Awesome idea!!
This is amazing!!! I can’t wait to try it.
Very cool. I have got to remember this and pull out the flashlights for the kids to play with!
Now that’s something to try one time. The effects are amazing.
played with this technique a couple times…can be very fun!
Cool. I will have to try this.
That looks like a fun technique to try! Love the figure skating pictures!
Great article! I have tried this with sparklers and ferris wheels lights ! Very cool!
AMAZING photos!
This is such a neat technique!!!
amazing! Can’t wait to give this a try. Now to locate my missing remote.
AHA! finally a term for this! thanks!
This is fun to try, can learn a lot about your camera with it
Very Cool, can’t wait to try this
Wow! The figure skating pics are awesome!
how very cool. what fantastical photos.
Breathtaking option to make your pictures come to life.
i love this one!!!
That is so amazing! Love it!
very coooool!
Great tips and can’t wait to try this technique
These are great pics can’t wait to try this and thanks for the chance to win.
THIS is why i need a tripod
Wow! Gonna have to try this technique!
Very cool! This is something I have not yet done and am totally inspired now to do so! Thanks!
Probably not a technique I would use very often, but would be fantastic for fireworks. Neat ideas!
How cool is that!!! I had no idea! Thanks can’t wait to try this on some hockey pictures.
I have seen these types of photos before but never knew how they were achieved. Thanks for sharing!! I especially liked the links you gave.
Oh, an excellent piece of text! I have no clue how you came up with this report..it’d take me long hours. Well worth it though, I’d assume. Have you considered selling ads on your blog?
Very nice blog post. I await looking at more by you.