Light painting 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.
Light painting can also describe works where the camera itself is moved during exposure.
Painting with a point of light on a long exposure dates back to 1889, and was used in Frank
Gilbreth's work with his wife Lillian Moller Gilbreth in 1914, when the pair used small
lights and the open shutter of a camera to track the motion of manufacturing and clerical
workers.
Man Ray, in his 1935 series "Space Writing," was the first known art photographer to use
the technique.
Photographer Barbara Morgan began making light paintings in 1940.
Techniques
There are three basic light painting techniques.
In addition to traditional light painting, there are also processes of "light drawing"
and "kinetic light painting".
Traditional light painting uses handheld lights to selectively illuminate or color parts of
the subject or scene.
Light painting requires a slow shutter speed, usually at least a second in duration.
Light painting can take on the characteristics of a traditional painter working with oils,
acrylics, or water colors.
Light drawing involves shining a light source to "draw" a picture by shining it directly
towards the camera lens and moving the source rapidly, during a slow shutter speed of usually
a second or more.
Light drawing can take on the characteristics of a quick pencil sketch.
Kinetic light painting is achieved by moving the camera, and is the antithesis of traditional
photography.
At night, or in a dark room, the camera can be removed from the tripod and used like a
paintbrush.
An example is using the night sky as the canvas, the camera as the brush and artifically-lit
cityscapes as the palette.
Putting energy into moving the camera by stroking lights, making patterns and laying down backgrounds
can create abstract artistic images.
Light paintings can be created using a webcam.
The painted image can already be seen while drawing by using a monitor or projector.
Another technique is the projection of images on to irregular surfaces, in effect "painting"
them with light.
A photograph or other fixed portrayal of the resulting image is then made.
History
Light painting, more specifically light drawing, dates back to 1889 when Étienne-Jules Marey
and Georges Demeny created the first known light painting “Pathological Walk From in
Front”.
In 1949 Pablo Picasso was visited by Gjon Mili, a photographer and lighting innovator,
who introduced Picasso to his photographs of ice skaters with lights attached to their
skates.
Immediately Picasso started making images in the air with a small flashlight in a dark
room.
This series of photos became known as Picasso's "light drawings."
Of these photos, the most celebrated and famous is known as "Picasso draws a Centaur" During
the 1970s and 80's Eric Staller used this technology for numerous photo projects that
were called "Light Drawings".
Light paintings up to 1976 are classified as light drawings.
In 1977 Dean Chamberlain gave birth to light painting with his image "Polyethylene Bags
On Chaise Longue" at The Rochester Institute of Technology.
Dean Chamberlain was the first artist to dedicate his entire body of work to the light painting
art form.
The artist photographer Jacques Pugin made several series of images with the light drawing
technique in 1979.
Picasso and Mili's images should be regarded as some of the first light drawings.
Now, with modern light painting, one uses more frequently choreography and performance
to photograph and organize.
This artform enjoyed a surge in popularity in the 21st century, partly due to the increasing
availability of dSLR cameras, advances in portable light sources such as LEDs, and also
in part due to the advent of media sharing websites by which practitioners can exchange
images and ideas.
Equipment
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.
Other sources of light including candles, matches, fireworks, lighter flints, glowsticks,
and Poi are also popular.
A tripod is usually necessary due to the long exposure times involved.
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.
Color Gels can also be used to color the light sources.
Some light painters make their own dedicated devices to create light trails over the photo
background.
This can include computer-controlled devices, such as the 'Digital Light Wand' pioneered
by US Light Painter Mike Ross.
This Arduino controlled LED array can render images that could not be made by drawing in
the air with a single light source alone.
Gallery
See also Light art performance photography
Light art Glowsticking
Fire dancing Night photography
Kinetic photography References
External links Article in Amateur Photographer magazine on
the fundamental basics of Light Painting Diverse light painting techniques by Michael
Bosanko Light Painting World Alliance - non-profit
organization united all light painters in the globe
Painting with Light - How it all began - Historical article about light painting's roots
Life Magazine - Behind the Photograph - about Pablo Picasso as he paints with light
International Light Painting Award | Annual, International Photo Competition For Light
Painting