I remember seeing 'The Night Watch' by Rembrandt in Amsterdam and for a very long time I was mesmerised, feeling a touch of disbelief that a man could use light so brilliantly that a two dimensional painting could have such an effect on a viewer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Night_Watch_%28painting%29
Clearly I am no Dutch master (LOL), but this is a 4 second exposure using a small LED torch with a cardboard tube extension to manually 'paint' the image. It is a very 'human' technique with no two shots being identical - trial shots helped me decide exposure and which areas I wanted to accent with the most light, and which areas are modelled with just a 'hint' of light.
The word 'photography' means "drawing with light"
probably best viewed enlarged against a black background.
@monika64 – I placed the camera on the tripod in front of the lily pod using manual setting with a 100 mm macro lens at f8, and a white paper background. With the lights on, I used manual focus (live view). I taped a cardboard toilet roll cylinder over the end of a 10 cm LED torch and squished in the open end to provide a narrower ‘beam’ of light and to minimise any stray light. Lights off, and using a 2 second delay, I used the torch and trial and error to determine the length of time I needed to wave the torch around aiming the beam at the lily pod to the exposure I was after. Variables were the distance I held the torch from the lily pod, and how long I stopped in a single area.
I manipulated the ISO (upwards) to allow me enough time to ‘paint’ the front, rear & sides , but in hindsight, (and if I had paid more attention) it might have been better to use 30 seconds (rather than 4 seconds), so I could ‘stroke’ the light more and get a softer visual effect with a little more controlled light ‘bleed’. http://www.expertphotography.com/how-to-light-painting has the technique explained http://www.photographybook.net/photography/painting-with-light/ has an image along the lines that I was trying to achieve – (wish I had seen that one before my attempt though!).
I understand the process more clearly having tried it, and hope to have another go one day. The uploaded version has definitely lost much of the subtle lighting which is a little disappointing, but I am happy that I have definitely learnt from my first 'get pushed' exercise. :)
This is impressive, and definitely worth viewing large. Having played about with this technique in a desultory sort of way and with no particularly satisfactory results, you've inspired me to have another go. Very good work indeed.
I love this Lyn, it's so simple and delightfully done. Your commentary on how to achieve it will certainly help me when I pluck up the courage to do sth like this. Fave!
I manipulated the ISO (upwards) to allow me enough time to ‘paint’ the front, rear & sides , but in hindsight, (and if I had paid more attention) it might have been better to use 30 seconds (rather than 4 seconds), so I could ‘stroke’ the light more and get a softer visual effect with a little more controlled light ‘bleed’. http://www.expertphotography.com/how-to-light-painting has the technique explained http://www.photographybook.net/photography/painting-with-light/ has an image along the lines that I was trying to achieve – (wish I had seen that one before my attempt though!).
I understand the process more clearly having tried it, and hope to have another go one day. The uploaded version has definitely lost much of the subtle lighting which is a little disappointing, but I am happy that I have definitely learnt from my first 'get pushed' exercise. :)