The lightpainting community is small and spread all over the world. A close association, which is perceived far too little in the world of photography. We want to change this. In order to bring you some artists closer, we asked some active artists to introduce themselves and to answer 10 questions about light painting and their relation to it. To introduce you first to who is involved in the "Lightpainters United" project, let's start our interview series with our curators.
Tim Gamble, a.k.a. Fade To Black Light Art, has been creating his inspiring light painting work since 2013. Tim creates other worldly images that look like they are from a scientific fantastic future world. Tim's imagination shines through in his incredibly complex light painting images. He loves to shoot in tunnels and in the middle of nowhere but its important to note that many of the complex worlds he creates are made in the simple setting of his kitchen!
Please introduce yourself shortly. Name, Age and where you from etc.
My name is Tim Gamble and I’m 41 years old from Manchester England.
How and why did you start Light Painting?
I bought my first dslr (Canon 650D) to capture memories of my new-born son. I’ve always loved photography but knew nothing of manual mode so I bought a guide to digital photography book. Inside there was half a page about light painting and it sparked something inside me. After a short while on Google I found the Ball Of Light video. A 15 minute documentary which tells the story of Denis Smith and his journey from depression, debt and alcohol and his life changing discovery of Light Painting. Ever since seeing his incredible images that was me hooked and since 2013 I have light painted every week.
What means Light Painting for you? What is yor motivation? What drives you?
I’m motivated to light paint for many reasons, mainly the insatiable need to create. I’m not one for sitting in front of the tv so taking myself off to a dark room and creating some images is my way to unwind and de-stress. When I don’t light paint my mood worsens and life tends to get on top of me but as soon as the lights go out and my camera is sat on the tripod everything is well with the world.
What gear do you always carry with you?
My staple tool which I always carry with me is my camera rotation tool. Designed and created by Chris Thompson and his brother Alan. That is one tool I could not be without as it opens up so many compositional possibilities. I don’t own an auto lens as I find manual ones so much more versatile, helping me to swap lenses and change apertures mid-exposure much more easily. I also own a full set of Light Painting Brushes tools as I’m a brand ambassador for them, I don’t take them all out with me as I would need a Sherpa to carry them all but the Black Fibre Optic brush, some blades and universal connectors are always in my bag. Lastly an old pair of net curtains, used in conjunction with a universal connector, orange gel and my Ryus Lightworks modded torch I can create a beautiful fire effect with no danger of burning the model.
What was your most memorable Lightpainting expirience, event or moment?
My most memorable light painting experience was last year in Belgium at the Light Painters United meet up. Meeting so many wonderful people with whom I had only ever conversed with online was a dream come true. The locations, people and resulting images created over that weekend will stay with me forever and the hard work of the super friendly and inviting B Team is still very much appreciated.
Who or what inspires you?
I draw inspiration from a great many sources. From other light painting artists, artists in other fields such as music, films, painting and advertising. Locations inspire and can have a massive impact on the final image even if it doesn’t appear anywhere in the frame. It can come from within; say an emotion I am feeling which will spark an idea or from aimless “faffing” at home which will usually give me a new effect which I will be able to implement into a shot when I’m out in the field.
What is going to be the next Light Painting Tool you build or buy?
I’m currently working on a version of the Pala Teth backlight scanner which he so kindly shared with the wider community. I’m sure many people would keep such an idea to themselves but not him. A true gent and the solution to a problem which has been a headache since I started Light Painting.
What is your workflow?
My workflow tends to begin in my kitchen which is a sort of proving ground and a place to try different things out. A couple of weeks ago I was playing with rotating my camera around different axis which yielded a result I hadn’t seen before. The session gave me an image I was quite happy with but it didn’t look like a final image. The following week I was out with Tei in my favourite tunnel and I was able to implement the concept adding the tunnel we were in and the human form.
Do you have 3 Lightpainters you would like to have a colaboration with?
*Three light painters I would love to collab with are as follows.
Dana Maltby (TCB) I regularly trawl through his feed on Flickr and for me he has something special and his style has influenced me greatly along the way. For me he is the best and top of my list of people I would love to collab with.
Ryan O’connell (R Digi) Is someone else who I would love to get together and paint with. He has a raw and very individual style and comes across as a really top bloke.
Jelle Schuurmans Is someone who I have long admired. He has a super individual style and his sci-fi creations tick all of my boxes.*
What are your best or most favourite 3 pictures?
Jurassic Shift - This was shot on one of many visits to Padley Gorge with Chris Thompson. Everything came together for this one and I can remember the sense of excitement when this popped up on the camera screen.
Tim Gamble: "Jurassic Shift"
Point of no return - I shot this one with my mate Rob and was the most believable image I have created using refractographs. I was particularly happy with his shadow which looks to be bowed on the wall behind.
Tim Gamble: "Point of no return"
Stormborn - I love looking back at this shot as the whole evening was perfect. Full moon, no wind, beautiful location and awesome people. Probably my favourite evenings light painting to date. Happy times.
Tim Gamble: "Stormborn"
Thanks for the interview and the inspiration mate!
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