We took another trip to my new favourite lightpainting location last night. Cadeby Tunnel is very close and convenient and despite being a little slippy on the way in is also very dry. Perfect on rainy nights!
I've been experimenting lately with kinetic movements of the camera. During a long exposure, a light source is switched on and I move the camera in some way or other. I also regarded last night as an experimental session; as you mess around with the movements, some brainwave or bright idea often occurs. I now have a few ideas stored away in a couple of brain cells for next time I'm out in the dark!
Sky Hooks
To make this shot, first I expose the model with a flashgun at the back of the frame and replace the lens cap without ending the exposure. The model then turns on the lights and I simultaneously pan the camera down towards the floor leaving a light trail. I asked the model to wave their arms around creating an almost symmetrical pattern.
In experimenting with technique, I realised that if I paused for a couple of seconds, I could create a nice little star burst with the Sony 20mm f1.8 lens I was using. This lens makes particularly nice sun stars. For this shot I paused at the beginning of the movement and paused at the end.
Next up for this technique is to get the model to jump in the air as I fire the flash and the two stripes of light "should" make the model look like they're hanging from the ceiling!
I think maybe I should conduct a Kickstarter campaign and try to sell these skyhooks to the unsuspecting public!!
And another version:
Dusting off my fisheye
My Samyang 12mm full frame fisheye is probably the oldest lens I own. It's been in my bag since at least 2015 and comes out to play all to infrequently these days. But being manual everything it's particularly suited to this tilt and pan technique. I can shoot the background using a wider aperture to let in more light, then stop down for the kinetic stripe of light.
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
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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.
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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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