Light Painting Photography is a photographic technique in which photographs (exposures) are made usually at night or in a darkened room by moving a hand-held light source such as a torch in front of a camera while the camera shutter is held open recording the actions of the light. In many cases the light source itself does not have to appear in the image.
The light can either be used to selectively illuminate parts of the subject or to “paint” a picture by shining it directly into the cameras lens.
So what can you use for Light Painting Photography?
Torches, light pens, LED’s can all be used to create Light Painted images. Different coloured lights can be used to create different effects or a more colourful photograph.
Coloured Gels (plastic sheets) can be used over a torch to make different coloured lights.
One essential piece of equipment (Other than the camera obviously) is the use of a good quality tripod. This is due to the long exposure times involved. The camera has to remain perfectly still while the photograph is being taken, alternatively, the camera may be placed on or braced against a table or other solid support.
Most cameras will have a setting to allow exposures to be taken up to 30 seconds, beyond this, a shutter release cable can be used to extend the time the camera shutter s ‘open’ to enable more elaborate photographs to be taken, or to allow more light into the camera
There are many techniques used to achieve great Light Painting photography, most of which can be used for other types of Night Photography, hopefully, you will find these tutorials helpful in your goal for fun, exciting and unusual photography.
For some great tutorials to help you get started, be sure to checkout my Light Painting Photography tutorials section from the top menu – Have Fun!
Your equipment need not be expensive, I started with a simple DSLR and have had great results. Now thought I’ve moved to the Canon Digital SLR Camera EOS 5D Mark II