WHAT IS LIGHT PAINTING
Light painting, sometimes called light drawing or light graffiti, is a photographic technique using a light source that moves while taking a long exposer image. The light source could be a flashlight, glow stick, light brush, or even a mobile phone. Light painting adds interesting elements by the colours, streaks or flashes of light within the image.
SETTINGS BEST FOR LIGHT PAINTING
An essential thing to know about taking these images is that you need to have a long exposure. Depending on what you are creating your exposure could be 30 seconds or longer. Long exposure allows the camera to capture movement in a blur while objects that stay still are crisp. In lighting paintings, the motion will be the light source.
Standard settings needed to set on the camera to get a long exposure and create this type of photography successfully:
Setting the camera on Manual Mode
Sutter speed can be on 30 seconds or more
The camera can also be on Bulb Mode. This mode allows you to expose the image as long as needed by holding down the shutter button (to start) and releasing ( to stop).
The aperture is on an f-number of 8 or higher
ISO on 100
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
Some essential equipment is needed to create light painting photography. Here are some of those items:
Camera: A DSLR digital camera with manual settings is needed to get the best results.
Tripod: Since the shutter will be opened for a long time, any movement no matter how small can lead to a blurred image. Having a sturdy tripod will prevent any unwanted blurredness.
Light Sources: Nearly any tool can be used as a light source since each one will have a different effect and colour.
MY WORK
THINGS I LEARNT WHILE EXPERIMENTING
The longer the shutter button is held, more light enters the photograph. In this image, you can see the person holding the lights and their surroundings.
(click on the image to look closer)
If the shutter button isn't held long enough, you won't be able to get enough light trails.
(click on the image to look closer)
There should be a dark background (depending on where you are and what kind of photo you want to create), or the image loses impact.
(click on the image to look closer)
Websites Used: