Last night we revisited a favourite lightpainting location we haven't been to for at least two years. I'm not entirely sure why we haven't been back but it was good to get out in the dark!
I've been calling this Peak District cave, "Winnat's Pass Cave" since that is exactly where this is next to. But last night we noticed a sign above the entrance naming it. It seems I've been getting it wrong for years.
Before the not so Great British COVID lockdowns occured I managed to fix up a photoshoot with a reggae electronic fusion band known as the Mamosians. I suggested the cave and the band were happy to go along with the location. During that shoot, I had a brainwave for a future shot but it's taken me over two years to get around to shooting this bucket list shot! Too damn long!
This is a post featuring last night's bucket list shot and a few images from previous visits:
Windy Knoll Nights
I get a big buzz out of nailing an image. Not the kind that needs tissues to mop up the drool but certainly an almost euphoric high that didn't involve any substances!
I positioned myself inside the cave and pointed my camera towards the entrance making sure that the cave fitted in the frame. The sky was getting darker by the second and there was just enough blue hour sky to create a nice hue.
This is a simple two way camera rotation image where the camera is rotated on it's lens axis. The shot is created in one photographic exposure and I still feel compelled to say this is not a Photoshop creation.
Lining up the shot
To make the above image, first it's necessary to line up the subject so that it's just above the centre of the horizon. In this shot, I was a little too low. I realised the 20mm lens had too narrow a field of view. For the featured image above, I switched to a full frame fisheye lens but I quite liked the mistake below. The sky was still cloudy and pinkish from the sunset we'd just seen.
Human Stalactites and Stalagmites
I have visited the Windy Knoll cave many times before and I can't help myself but rotate things in it!
Multi-dimensional light painter
As you can probably tell I'm a big fan of rotating the camera in the dark. Here I've combined camera rotation with mid exposure lens swaps where I've switched between a 16-35 lens and a 12mm fisheye. The idea behind is that the main figure on the right is larger and the rotated figures are smaller in the frame when shot with a fisheye lens. This colour comination is also still one of my favourites.
Don't cross the streams!
When you have a friend with a vape device, it's easy to fill the cave with vapour, excellent for adding atmosphere. Thanks goes here to 
They are here...
I don't always rotate the camera. Here I've panned the camera across the frame whilst the model changes hands for a symmetrical effect. Very very difficult to get the angle right! An image not recommended for anyone with OCD!
The Mamosians
The group I was shooting in the cave who gave me the inspiration:
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.
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WHAT IS LIGHTPAINTING?
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.
Single exposure Light Art Photography - no layers - no tricks - no photoshop
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