Light painting
Photograph by PseudoDudeon Flickr.
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An example is using the night sky as the canvas, the camera as the brush and cityscapes (amongst other light sources) as the palette. Color Gels can also be used to color the light sources. Manual focus is often used Action painting since autofocus systems may not perform well in low light.
Different colored lights can be used to project an image on the CCD. Light painting by moving the camera, also called camera painting, is the antithesis of traditional photography. At night, or in a dark room, the camera can be taken off the tripod and used like a paintbrush.
In many cases the light source itself does not have to appear in the image. Pablo Picasso was photographed in 1949 doing a quick sketch in the air. Flash lights or light pens can also be used to create Full Bleed images.
Light painting, also known as light drawing or light graffiti is a photographic technique in which exposures are made usually at night or in a darkened room by moving a hand-held light source or by moving the camera. Like night photography, it has grown in popularity since the advent of digital cameras because they allow photographers to see the results of their work immediately. Light painting can take on the characteristics of a quick pencil sketch.
Putting energy into moving the camera by stroking lights, making patterns and laying down backgrounds can create abstract artistic images. The first known photographer to use this technique was Man Ray in his series Space Writing . The light can either be used to selectively illuminate parts of the subject or to paint a picture by shining it directly into the camera lens.
In addition, photographers often use a slow film speed or low ISO setting on a digital sensor to minimize grain (or digital noise) and increase exposure tolerance, as evaluating exposure is often tricky. Live video light paint with open source VJ software Quase-Cinema . Light painting requires a sufficiently slow shutter speed, usually a second or more.
Also known as Camera Toss. Making a light painting doesn t necessarily need to be done in a dark room or at night. Using a mirror creates a double image, which adds up to a more creative result. A variety of light sources can be used, ranging from simple flashlights to dedicated devices like the Hosemaster, which uses a fiber optic light pen.
Alternatively, the camera may be placed on or braced against a table or other solid support. A shutter release cable or self timer is generally employed in order to minimize camera shake.
Other sources of light including candles, matches, lighter flints, glowsticks, and Poi are also popular. A tripod is usually necessary due to the long exposure times involved.
