Light painted lanterns
One of my few forays into light painting with a long exposure. I set these up in my completely dark basement with the camera on a tripod. I briefly shined a fl...
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One of my few forays into light painting with a long exposure. I set these up in my completely dark basement with the camera on a tripod. I briefly shined a flashlight through each lantern glass toward the camera, then did a sweep of light over the lanterns before the shutter closed.
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Mar, 2018Views
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Awards
Action Award
Contest Finalist in Epic Exposures Photo Contest
Zenith Award
Top Shot Award 21
Contest Finalist in Anything Vintage Photo Contest
Community Choice Award
Staff Favorite
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
Virtuoso
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo in my windowless basement. I'm a self-taught photographer and was in an on-line informal photography group that posted weekly challenges that helped the members learn about camera features and photo types. When the challenge was light painting, I had to first learn what that meant. :-) It was too cold to try anything outside, so I used the basement (which had zero light when the lights were off).Time
I don't recall what time of day it was. Probably late since I'm a night owl :-)Lighting
This photo is all about the lighting. I set up my camera on a tri-pod for a long exposure. I hung the lanterns from the basement rafters. With the lights on, I set the focus. Then turned the lights off and worked by flashlight. Hit the shutter button, walked behind the lanterns (carefully, because I couldn't see anything!) and I turned the flashlight on for about 1/2 sec with the front of the light against and behind each globe. Then I went back to the front and "painted" the lanterns with light from the flashlight to get light on the fronts. I do recall trying a few different strength flashlights till I found one that wasn't too bright or too dim. But I don't recall anything more than that about the light I settled on.Equipment
I used my Nikon 1 J1, I don't recall the lens, but it wasn't anything fancy. Likely the one that came with the camera. I only had that and a longer lens. I did use a tri-pod to keep the camera steady during the long exposure (200/10) and the only light I used was from a flashlight as described above.Inspiration
I was in a photography group that had weekly challenges that helped the members learn about camera features and photo types. I had not done any light painting before, and didn't even know what t was before the research I did just prior to taking this shot (one of several attempts at this set-up). I loved how it turned out! But to be honest, I'm surprised it's my most awarded photo! I have several others posted that I love even more.Editing
It's been over 3 years since I took this photo so I don't recall what I did. I know I darkened the black because I had a cluttered basement and the camera did pick up a tiny bit of light off the clutter. But I don't think I did too much more than that. I only had a basic version of Paintshop at that point.In my camera bag
At the time of this photo, I only had my Nikon 1 J1 camera, the stock lens and a small zoom. I kept it in a small cooler because I tended to keep it in my vehicle so I'd always have it with me and I worried about temperature swings/heat and theft. Then for awhile, I was just using my phone because it was so convenient and I always had it with me. But I just recently (a few weeks ago) bought a Cannon 6D Mark II and some nice lenses. I've been saving up for that and look forward to taking more photos! I travel quite a bit (live in an RV now) and now I want to go back out West and to Yellowstone again (& Glacier) to get photos with my new camera!Feedback
My advise to new photographers (which I still consider myself to be) is to try new things! Start with the basics (focus, composition, lighting, etc.) and once you can take a photo that isn't blurry (unless that's what you're going for), has the focus on the intended subject without a lot of needless clutter, and has the white balance in balance (something I still struggle with) you're ready to take on some challenges and learn to get out of auto mode. Do an internet search for "list of photography challenges" and dive in! Try things that are outside your comfort zone. Focus on learning one new skill per week. You'll get some photos you love and some you don't. But it will be fun and educational and if you're in a rut, it may help you get out. Everything I know about photography I have learned while either sitting at my computer or out taking photos.
