Quite a bit of lightpainting in my case is experimental. Once I've worked out a technique or a process, I've found lately I've become a little bored with lightpainting because I've worked out how to do most of what I wanted to know or could be bothered to learn. The challenge is to keep looking for new ways to develop the art form (and it is an art form in my opinion).
I recently found myself in a dark tunnel trying to think of new ideas, (as you do!) and I kept going back to the same kinetic stuff I like to do. It got me thinking that maybe it's time to try something new and move away from the kinetic stuff and try going down a different path. Or maybe even give the lightpainting a rest for a while in order to come back fresh and maybe with a few more ideas.
I also find myself looking back through my older photographs looking for some inspiration so that I might spark an idea with something old and use the new techniques I've since learned.
This is a post of "old" experimental lightpaintings which I find inspirational for new ideas going forward!
Focus pulling sparks
This kind of shot is only possible with two people. As I spin the burning steel wool, my LP buddy slowly turns the focus ring on the lens shortly after the exposure starts. That way I get some of the sparks in focus and some out of focus. It's given me an idea for another shot.....
The 8 Bit Lightpainter
Quite a number of years ago, I once knew a chap who could make all sorts of electronic tools and lights. I've since lost contact but not before he made this colour changing LED gadget which made a cool light trail of 8 bits. Note to self, learn how to solder!!
Lighting up the Middle Lock
Despite not being that great at using a soldering iron, I did manage to make a few light tools myself. Here I cobbled together various lights on a stick and attached it to a drill. Spinning said drill produces great circles. Here I've positioned the circle on my local canal lock gates so it resembles an airplane. I don't have much in the way of inspiration looking at this but it does remind me to make more tools again!
LiDar Nights
It's rare to catch me in a church of any denomination. Extremely rare! But when someone asks if I want to lightpaint inside a dark church, I jumped at the chance. Here I took a laser pen attached to a drill and walked my way through the frame spinning with the laser beam hitting all the stone surfaces. This was the first time I did this technique and it was a surprise to find that the wooden chairs didn't show the laser light, wierd....
In the mouth of the cave
I went through a period where all I could think of was spinning a laser pen. In this case, I used the mouth of a cave / lime kiln to spin the laser leaving a dark, unexposed space in the middle of the frame for the silhouette. I think I need to buy another drill!
Mannequin Mind Control
This was from a session of faffery at home with an artist's mannequin positioned in front of a softbox to create a silhouette. The dark, unexposed parts of the frame are perfect for filling with other lights and in this case I used a zoomed pulled laser image on an iPad and shot the screen to a rehearsed position.
An afternoon with Scarlett
Leave me to my own devices in a studio for 10 minutes with a stunning model and a camera rotation device and this is what happens! Shot in one photographic exposure, this is not a photoshop creation. I've been itching to try this technique again but access to a studio since I shot this has been difficult!
Repurposing a surveyor's tool
A few years back I used to work for a company which provided a laser level gadget. I had no intention of using it as it's quite a lot of hassle to use and I successfully managed to avoid using it in anger for nearly 5 years! In the meantime, it sat on a shelf unused until one day I realised the laser level would make a great lightpainting tool.
Once levelled up, the tool projects a vertical and horizontal red line for quite a distance. I experimented with the projected line and rotated it in camera. It turned out better than expected. Sometimes my experiments don't always work out but I'm pleased to say this one did!
About me:
I usually specialise in shooting lightpainting images but occasionally dabble in urbex and artistic model photography. I'm always on the lookout for someone to collaborate with; please don't hesitate to get in touch if you'd like to create art.
Social Media
https://www.facebook.com/fastchrisuk
https://www.flickr.com/photos/fastchris/
Lightpainting is a photographic technique in which exposures are made by moving a hand-held light source while taking a long exposure photograph, either to illuminate a subject or to shine a point of light directly at the camera, or by moving the camera itself during exposure. Nothing is added or removed in post processing.
If you would like to see more lightpainting please give the Lightpainters United Community a follow and you will be introduced into the illuminating world of light painting!
If you want to see more examples of lightpainting, feel free to check out these guys:
Mafu Fuma | Oddballgraphics | FadetoBlack | DAWN | Mart Barras | Stefan Stepke | Nikolay Trebukhin | Lee Todd | Stabeu Light | Maxime Pateau | Stephen Sampson | lightandlense | Neil Rushby | L.A.C.E.
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