Light Painting

Light painting is a very cool photography technique that can produce truly astounding images.  There are so many tools and methods of applying these tools that the creative artist is presented with a vast array of different effects and moods.

The basic tool is a flashlight.  We used mag lights.   Then, turn your camera on bulb (i.e. leave the shutter open), set it to ISO 400 or so, f/8, and start painting.  Take your flashlight and literally paint in the portions of the image you want exposed in the final portrait.  You'll need to use a tripod and a shutter release, and it takes some practice, but if you get good at it you can really make some fantastically interesting portraits.

Here are a few from a recent shoot in which we used light painting exclusively throughout the entire shoot.









Hint: want softer light?  Put a piece of toilet paper on the end of your mag light...really!