Hacking Photography - one Picture at a time
Since the recent release of my new Long Exposure Portraits tutorial from RGG EDU, I’ve been inundated with messages and questions relating to the light painting section.
Questions like: ‘What’s the best light painting tool to use? ‘Where can I get them?’ ‘Which ones did you use in your video?
Light painting is one of those areas of photography that keeps surprising me. There’s always new tools and new techniques coming out that that make me wish I had the time or patience to learn how to do it myself. But for those that work at it, it looks well worth the effort, as these images from Jason D. Page go to show.
Jason has developed a technique using the Light Whip to make “ghosts”. Yes, that’s right, ghosts. They look pretty awesome, and he’s put together a tutorial showing you how he makes them so that you can have a go for yourself.
If you’re into light painting, chances are you’re following Zach Smidt’s work. We’ve featured his photos before, and recently, one of his stunning shots especially caught my eye.
Surrounded by the serene pink sunset, with gorgeous clouds as a backdrop, Zach’s model Juli stands reflected in the mirror-like water. The white wings are light-painted behind her, giving the additional sense of serenity to the image. I loved everything about this photo and wanted to know more. And Zach was kind enough to share a detailed tutorial of his shot with DIYP.
I never really done much light painting before, always liked the idea of it but somehow have just never got round to it, or found the right subject for it. Also I’m not hugely keen on wandering about in the dark, tripping over all the crap I have left lying around on the studio floor (note to self: tidy up floor!).
Anyway a couple of weekends ago I was playing about with some ideas for a new portfolio shot involving a wall clock. Now this clock happens to look a bit like a pocket watch and a pocket watch normally has a chain (see where I’m going with this yet?), so I figured, “what if instead of a chain, I use some wispy light trails”.
When I first saw these orbs, I was almost sure that they we were computer generated. I was wrong. The orbs are a work of art from German Light Art master Bernhard Rauscher (a.k.a. lumenman), and were made using self made plexiglass blades.
I was curious about the perfect orbs, so I reached out to Bernhard to learn how they were made.
The first thing I learned is that those are called Light Planet and not Orbs 🙂
Light painting is a fascinating technique that’s evolved over the last few years from the humble flashlight into an elaborate array of tools, gadgets, gizmos, and even apps, with ever more wild and creative results being produced on a daily basis.
In this video, Jason D. Page shows us how to use the new Plexiglass feather attachment from Light Painting Brushes in order to create wings during a long exposure.
You can find out more about John on his website and follow his adventures on YouTube and Facebook.
can change a lens mid-rappel, swap a memory card while treading water, or use a camel as a light stand.
To see more of his work please visit his studio website blurMEDIAphotography, or follow him on Twitter, 500px, Google Plus or YouTube.
JP’s photography is available for licensing at Stocksy United.
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