Painting with Light

An Introduction

Types of Light Painting

▪ Photo Elements are ‘created’ or ‘painted’ with light

▪ Light sources are used to highlight or ‘sculpt’ real objects

▪ Examples Follow:

What you need

▪ Flashlight– LEDs are best

– Coast is an excellent brand for light painting

▪ Diffuser for the flashlight

▪ Tripod

▪ Gels (optional) for color effects

Process

▪ Take base image– Use diffuse or bounced light to avoid reflections

▪ Work in a dark or very dimly lit room

▪ Camera: bulb or very long exposure

▪ Keep light moving constantly to keep lighting even

▪ Take multiple images from various angles and distances

Post Processing

▪ Place all images in one file as layers, base image on bottom

▪ Low opacity black layer over base, Soft Light blending mode

▪ On each layer, mask out what you don’t want to keep

Post Processing

▪ Place all images in one file as layers, base image on bottom

▪ Low opacity black layer over base, Soft Light blending mode

▪ On each layer, mask out what you don’t want to keep

My Images

Resources

▪ Supplies and accessories– http://lightpaintingbrushes.com/

▪ Examples and Tutorials– http://lightpaintingphotography.com/

▪ Harold Ross ‘Sculpting with Light– https://haroldrossfineart.wordpress.com/

– http://www.haroldrossfineart.com/