Painting With Light

[bburton]

Probably a number of you are familiar with the technique of "painting with light." I had never tried it and wanted to experiment.

Basically here's what I did: set the camera on a tripod; turned out all the lights; opened the camera's shutter; used a small flashlight and passed the beam repeatedly over the subject while counting "one Mississippi (or so);" closed the camera's shutter; and this light painting is the result.

By the way, this "painting" is of a ceramic flower.

 

[DestinDave]

Very nice result! What was the total exposure time? Did you flick the light on and off as you moved it about?

 

[bburton]

What was the total exposure time? Did you flick the light on and off as you moved it about?

Thanks. The EXIF data says: only 1 second at f8 but I think the time was a tad longer. I probably made three quick passes in that time. It was a very weak pen light. I should have gone for a longer time and flicking the light off and on as I had several over exposures before I got the timing right. I'll try that next time. :thumbup:

 

[AIRIC]

Nice!

Eric

 

[shoedumas]

Cool! I like that idea. If i had the money for a DSLR, I'd be all over that technique right now.

 

[Rob]

Cool effect - I'm going to try that!!

Rob

 

[binglemybongle]

Cool! I like that idea. If i had the money for a DSLR, I'd be all over that technique right now.

Is this only possible with a DSLR? Not with film?

 

[Rob]

Is this only possible with a DSLR? Not with film?

You could do it with a film camera no problem, but it's not as quick (or cheap) to see where you've gone wrong and adjust.

Rob

 

[M @ k o]

Nice compostion and perfect light. Nice shot bb !

 

[MyCameraEye]

Very nice PWL shot. I'm familiar with the technique though I have never tried it on something small like this. Very nice job!