Picture Blog #8 : Light Painting

Light painting is also known as light graffiti.

It is a photographic technique where pictures are taken under low lighting condition with an external light source. By moving the light source or the camera, a 'painting' can be created in the form of a digital image.

Moving either the light source or camera is like sketching with a paintbrush. In this case, the darkened background is your canvas, the camera is your brush and the colors from the lights are your palette. You can 'draw' indoor or outdoor.


There are many choices of light sources such as torch lights, candles, glow-sticks and laser pointers. You can also make use of street lamps or illuminated signs.

In light painting, you are unable to see what you are drawing until it is done. You usually would have to do it repeatedly until you are happy with what you see on your camera viewer. In fact, light painting takes many rounds of 'trial and error' before something close to what you set out to do is achieved.

For those who are familiar with photography, you would need a low shutter speed (1 sec or more) to allow a sufficient exposure. Since long exposure is used, a tripod would be helpful to keep your camera still (unless your are 'drawing' by moving the camera).

In this picture blog, I have included some impressive light paintings. If these amazing images excite you enough, you might want to try doing it yourself. There are many helpful websites to start you off, such as this article by 'DIY Photography'.

Now, go dazzle yourself with the creative lines and shades.

[link]

[link]

[link]

[link]

[link]

[link]

[link]

[link]

[link]

[link]

[link

[link]

[link]

[link]

[link]

[link]

[link]

[link]

[link]

[link]

[link]

[link]

See also

""Picture Blog #25 : Shadow Art - Darkness At Its Best" 

"In the right light, at the right time,
everything is extraordinary."
~Aaron Rose~