On Wednesday October 19 7pm at the Squamish Arts Council building be are going to try Light Painting.
You don't need much to experiment with this kind of shot, just make sure you have the following items:
1. A camera capable of long exposures - use a digital camera, you will be able to see the results in "real time" and make corrections as you go.
2. A tripod. Since you will be doing some long exposures you want to make sure your camera sits still.
3. A light source – flashlight, glow stick, sparkler, etc.
4. A dark location.
Here is how it's done:
Set your camera on the tripod and take a sample shot with the flash on. This will help you verify that your composition and focus is OK.
Set the exposure to a relatively long value (+1 sec. or ‘B’ if your camera has that).
Stop down the aperture as much as you need (f8 – f16).
Press the shutter. Once the shutter is open, move in front of the camera to the location you focused on and use your light source to "paint".
You can use the light source as a brush, and "smear" the light, just like you would have done with brush and paper. Or, you can use the light as a pen, and do precise work. Areas where you go slowly will be more lit then others.
Inspect your image and make corrections.
If your photo is too dark – increase your ISO
If your photo is too light – stop down your aperture (f16, f22 +) or decrease your ISO
Try spinning your light source on a string while you turn yourself in a circle – you draw a sphere.
Experiment! Once you have the setting you like you can concentrate on your light painting.
What if my camera does not take long exposures?
Please come anyway. We need both photographers AND light painters. Team up with a photographer and do the in-front of camera painting.
At the end of the evening we are going to try a photograph that involves outlining a whole group of people standing around the park.
Need more tips, inspirations, great examples. Google “Light Painting”
