Lighting study: Light painting a car

[minicoop1985]

Alright, here goes. I've been trying to learn how to light paint a car. I started a couple nights ago with just a flashlight:

Light painting study-car by longm1985, on Flickr

Upgraded to a work light and put some advice to work:

Beep beep by longm1985, on Flickr

Then tried again tonight:

Light painting study-Car, 3 by longm1985, on Flickr

So that's where I am now. If tonight was clear, I would have done the star thing, but it's foggy and cloudy. How am I doing so far? What can I do better next time?

 

[kundalini]

If you are getting into light painting, check out Eric Curry's website American Pride and Passion.

 

[minicoop1985]

You have been supremely helpful, sir. Seriously. Every link you've given me I've bookmarked, and the numbers are starting to add up. Thank you. :hail:

 

[Raj_55555]

I was actually about to suggest the same, I've watched some of this guys videos and learned a lot.. I think I love the second one best, but it could have used a little light inside of that car, really love the stars, you should photoshop the strange thread like object from the sky IMO.

 

[minicoop1985]

If it's clear tomorrow, I'll be trying again, and hopefully with stars. It was cloudy tonight, or I would have made sure they were there. The thread thing is actually a plane blinking away up there-apparently it was a long enough exposure to catch it.

Edit: Also learned to get closer and use a wider angle. I also like the composition of the second one, but the lighting of the third, so hopefully I can combine this.

 

[Designer]

I like the second one. I think #3 looks too "even".

 

[Braineack]

on all three, it looks like you never bothered with the far side of the car, so the roof and edges rent popping against the bg.

 

[minicoop1985]

I didn't for the Focus, actually. Was thinking of popping off a flash just out of view; the Mini, I made probably 3 or 4 passes on the roof alone, but it just plain didn't show up. In any case, I'll fire something off behind the car next time.

 

[IzzieK]

I'd suggest you make two separate shots and blend them together in Photoshop...meaning one night shoot a nice starry sky, with just enough long ezposure like in #2, then you do not have to bother about background later on. Just concentrate on light painting your car. Composite the two best shots together and you have a good scenario with all the drama.

#2 is my favourite too...just that it lacks the back of the car and the dimmy light inside it... You've done very well in these three shots. I love them...

 

[Braineack]

I always suggest that one takes a few exposures of the scene (however you want to shoot it) before rolling the car in place. Gives you a nice base to work it.

 

[minicoop1985]

I MIGHT be trying this again tonight. I don't have the knowledge or software to combine two images, so I've been working as hard as I can on just using a single shot to do this with. Trying the background is a great idea, though-gives me an idea of what I have to work with in terms of ISO or aperture before I start. I'll definitely do that. Hell, I can put the car in the shot and just not paint it even.

 

[CAP]

I use 1,000,000 candle watt spot light they seam to work well.

 

[scotts2014se]

I really like number 2 as well, but the other side of the car needs more separation from the background as Brain mentioned.

 

[minicoop1985]

I think this one's a bit better, but the trees kinda suck. Wind blowing them around made them look like hell. I like the scene, though, and if it were a starry night, there would be some (the light pollution in this looks a lot worse than it really is, kinda intentionally from editing). I definitely need to even out that hood, though. I'll get it next time.

Light painting study, Car, 4 by longm1985, on Flickr