Light Painting: lightbursh tool
In the current post we will discuss one more widely used lighting technique so called ‘LIGHT PAINTING’. The example of this technique you can see on the picture below.
To create the same effect you need a mobile source of light that will be directed at a single detail of your composition, while the rest of the composition will be in the dark. This mobile light source is called Lightbrush.
LIGHTBRUSH is a photographic tool that helps to control light and apply it exactly to the area you want. It looks like a box, which includes a mobile daylight source connected to an optic fiber cable. You can attach different light shapes to this cable. Thus lightbrush allows you to illuminate each element of the composition and put accents where you want them to be.
CONVENTIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Although ‘light painting’ technique may seem an easy photographic method, in practice it involves much experimentation. The most difficult part is to find correct exposure, which is not easy as you shoot in darkness and thus need a long exposure. Though, the rule ‘the more light is the better’ doesn’t work here, there is always risk to overdo it. Take your time to experiment with exposure.
Lightbrush is an interesting tool that opens many photographic opportunities, but it also costs money. A professional lightbrush with a set of attachments of different sizes may cost about a thousand. Besides, you are unlikely to find it in your local shop. But a budget photographer can easily do it her/himself. Use a halogen or krypton flash attached to a tube with an adjustable socket outlet. It will work as a good lightbrush.
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
In digital photography, light painting technique is not so widely used due to the need for long exposure times and multiple exposures, which is not always possible with digital cameras. Maximum shutter speed in a compact digital camera is 8-16 sec (30-60 sec in more expensive cameras), while you often need 2-3 minutes exposure for good results.
However, it doesn’t mean that light painting is impossible in digital photography. Use a maximum exposure time possible in your camera and add a finishing touch in Photoshop.
PHOTOSHOP
Actually you can create light painting effect in Photoshop only. Use Photoshop brushing between dark/light and difused/sharp layers. Apply more diffusion on several of the layers to create a strong light painting effect and less diffusion to receive soft effect.
If you want to learn more abut Brushlight tool, join the discussion at Photo.net: Light Painting with a Broncolor light brush.
Interested in more lighting techniques - read Portraits Lightning Schemes
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