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What Is Light Painting Photography?
Kamera Express
What is light painting?
Create dreamy images by painting with light
Light painting is also known as painting or writing with light. You draw a line, shape, or pattern using a light source, such as a flashlight, directed towards the camera. By capturing this moment in the dark with a long shutter speed, you see the journey the light takes reflected in your photo. This allows you to create beautiful, dreamy images with luminous drawings. The fun part of light painting techniques is that no two images are the same, allowing you to give your creativity free rein. You can choose to write words, accentuate the contours of an object or model, or develop your own unique light creation. Below, we explain what you need for light painting and the best way to get started.
What do you need?
- Camera with manual mode
- Tripod
- Light source(s)
- Dark surroundings
- Possibly a model
Camera
To capture light painting, you naturally need a camera, but which cameras can you use for this? Most cameras are suitable for capturing painting with light, as long as you have the ability to manually set the shutter speed, ISO value, and aperture. Most cameras feature a manual (M) mode for this.
Tip – Does your camera have ISO noise reduction and long exposure noise reduction options? If so, it is best to disable them for the best results. Additionally, for post-processing, it is valuable to shoot your images in RAW format .
Tripod
We recommend using a tripod for light painting. This is because you are working with a long shutter speed to capture the journey of the light source in a single image. This means that with every movement of the camera, your photo becomes less sharp due to motion blur. To capture the light trail in the sharpest possible image, place your camera on a tripod and turn off the image stabilization on your lens and camera.
Tip – Don't have a tripod? Then use a wall or another sturdy surface to rest your camera on. Be sure to bring a beanbag to support your camera. Of course, you can also always purchase a tripod .
Light source
In light painting, we work with light, but what kind of light source is suitable for this? Many different light sources are available for creating striking light creations. For example, you can use glow sticks, laser pointers, fireworks, steel wool, smartphones, and flashlights. It doesn't have to be a bright light source to take a successful photo. Use your imagination, try out various light sources, and decide which light source best suits the atmosphere of the image you want to capture.
There are light sources available that are specifically designed for light painting. With a so-called pixel stick, an elongated bar consisting of LED lights, you can draw a pattern in the air that you set yourself in terms of color and design. Such a lamp gives you the option to draw pre-programmed figures or add your own pre-made design.
Tip – Looking for more color? Add colored foils, bottles, and other translucent objects to your light source to personalize it, or attach your light source to an umbrella or string to create different shapes. Working with letters? Write in mirror image or choose a symmetrical background and mirror your photo in post-processing.
Dark surroundings
To make the light painting stand out, it is best to work in a dark environment. Low-light situations can lend a beautiful mood to your image. It is therefore no surprise that light painting often goes hand in hand with evening photography, but other times of the day can also lend themselves well to writing with light. By photographing during the 'blue hour' or at sunrise and sunset, combined with light painting, you give your images a dreamy effect. When you combine this with water, beautiful reflections are created.
Tip - Are you starting with light painting? Then start by photographing in a dark room, so that you have full control over environmental factors.
Working with a model
Are you going to add a model to your light painting photo? Then make sure the model remains perfectly still. The slightest movements can cause a loss of sharpness with a long shutter speed. Additionally, ensure that you illuminate the model properly. You can use a flashlight or (reportage) flash for this. However, be sure to use this light only shortly before the shutter closes. It is also important that the light artist is out of frame when the flash fires to prevent them from being visible in the image. When working with a model, it is advisable to involve more people in your process. It is difficult to maintain control over the light, the model, the camera, and your light creation all by yourself.
Tip - Do you want the light artist themselves not to be visible in the photo? Have them wear dark clothing and gloves. It can also help to tape off the light source from behind so that no light falls on the artist.
Lightpainting step by step
What do you need to do to capture light trails?
Step 1: Mount your camera on a tripod
Since your camera is on a tripod, you can turn off image stabilization on your camera and lens.
Step 2: Set up your camera
Set your camera's ISO as low as possible to prevent the image from becoming overexposed and noise from appearing. We start with a value of 100. Consider how long you will be drawing the luminous pattern and set the shutter speed accordingly. Start with 15 seconds, for example. For the aperture, you can start with a value around f/8; this will keep the majority of your image in focus. Are you looking for a look and feel with a different depth of field? Then choose a wider aperture.
Step 3: Focus on the subject
Focusing in the dark is often a challenge. Therefore, make sure to give a light to the person who is going to draw, or illuminate the subject yourself with, for example, a flashlight. Use autofocus to focus on this, and then switch your settings back to manual. Do you prefer to focus manually? Then it can be helpful to use your camera's live view function. When you start light painting yourself, use items you have with you to focus on the spot where you will be standing.
Step 4: Take a test photo
Take a test photo and adjust settings where necessary.
Step 5: Satisfied? Start drawing
General tips
How long should I leave the shutter open when light painting?
That varies depending on the effect and drawing. Try out beforehand how long it takes you to draw the figure or word and set your shutter speed accordingly. Do allow a few extra seconds before and after painting so that you have some leeway.
Which lens should I use for light painting?
You can work with various lenses in light painting photography, depending on the effect you want to create. It is recommended to use a wide-angle lens, as this allows you to include more of your surroundings in your photo. Light painting involves working in low-light conditions, so pay attention to the maximum aperture of your lens. You will often work with an aperture of around f/8, but in some circumstances, a larger aperture can offer advantages.
I want to draw for longer than the available shutter speed, what should I do?
Most cameras allow you to set the shutter speed up to 30 seconds. Do you need more time for your creation? Then use Bulb mode. With this, you press and hold the shutter button on your camera until you are finished painting. Are you working alone? Then use a remote control.
What mistakes should I avoid when light painting?
Do you prefer not to be visible in the image yourself? Then wear dark clothing and cover the back of your light source. Ensure your camera does not move. As a light artist, try to stand in the same spot where you focused. Make sure your model stands still. Additionally, ensure you leave enough space in the frame so that your light creation does not fall just outside the frame if you take a step too far to the side. It is easier to crop your image afterwards than to add a section to it.
Lightpainting tutorial
In the video below, together with photographer Fabian Ruijgrok, we show you how to write with light:
