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Lightpainting
Ein Artikel von Simon Bock, 3. Semester Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen
Bilder: Johannes Keller, Joachim Werner, Simon Bock
Lightpainting is a technique where images
or letters are drawn in a picture. This is
done within a dark room or at night using
a light-source, such as a flashlight. With a
little practice, the proper use of the camera
and some creative ideas you can create
amazing images. One of the aspects that
contribute to Lightpainting being very
entertaining and fun is that you get interesting
results quite soon after starting.
Although the idea of Lightpainting is not
new, it has become a lot more relevant since
the DSLR’s have become more achievable
lately. DSLR means “digital single lens
reflex camera”. DSLR’s offer a high variety
of possible settings as opposed to normal
digital cameras. They make it a lot easier
to get familiar with the technique of Lightpainting
since multiple set ups and light
sources can be tried without spending a
lot of money on films…
Lightpainintings in principal require a relative
movement between the camera and
the light source and there are basically
two ways of creating them: Either the camera
is moved with a steady light source
or the camera is set steady and the light
source, for example a LED torch, is being
moved while taking the picture. In the following
we will concentrate on the second
technique since there are a lot of possibilities
with a moving light source.
What do we need to get started?
1. camera that is capable of long exposures
– the best would be a digital SLR camera.
That way you have the opportunity
to choose out of a great variety of settings
and to see the paintings you created in
real time.
2. tripod – It is necessary because of the
long exposures needed for light paintings.
If you do not have a tripod a e.g. table or
any other flat surface might do the job for
some pictures.
3. light source, such as a flashlight, LED,
or any other light. Even the headlights of
a car might be an option to create a lightpainting!
Besides the equipment you will need a
dark or at least fairly dark location. This
can be a dark room or a location outside
at night. It does not have to be completely
dark but other bright light sources besides
the one you are drawing with might ruin
your painting because of the long exposure.
Special tip:
If you use the photoflash at the end of
the process you can create special effects
such as that you become visible in the
lightpainting.
Instructions step by step
1. Set your camera with the tripod in the
right position and check the image section
that you are taking the picture of. Since
the room is dark you could do this by taking
a flash-picture in advance.
2. Set the exposure to a relatively long
value (about 20 sec. or more) or switch it
into manual mode. Stop down the aperture
as much as you need. If possible you
should use a wire/remote control release.
If you do not have one at hand the selftimer
will do the job as well
3. After you or an assistant has pressed
the wire control you can start “painting”
in the picture by using the flashlight as
a brush or a pen. As long the aperture is
open your movements with the light source
will appear in the picture. Since you
are a lot darker than the light source you
will not appear in the painting, unless you
keep standing at one point in the picture
or illuminate yourself.
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