Light Painting is kind of exactly what it sounds like. Paint your photographs with light in a long exposure by moving your camera around or shining a light source onto your scene. Frequently, the technique is used to quite literally paint light into its own picture in your scene.
All you need to try out light painting on your own is a camera that can do shutter speeds of 15 seconds or longer and a light source! A tripod will come in immensely handy as well!
Below are 18 light painting examples to inspire your creativity!
Photo Credit: Alexander Kesselaar | Alexkess Photography
Photo Credit: Iván Sánchez | Fusky
Photo Credit: Vaidotas Mišeikis | Photography by Vaidotas Mišeikis
Photo Credit: Régis Matthey | Portfolio
Photo Credit: Snugg LePup
Photo Credit: Duane Schoon
Photo Credit: Dave DeHetre | Portfolio
Photo Credit: Marta
Photo Credit: Reilly Butler
Photo Credit: Picture Wendy
Photo Credit: Andrew Meloney
Photo Credit: Randy
Photo Credit: Richard Styles | @stylesrambling
Photo Credit: John
Photo Credit: Rich Grundy
Photo Credit: Paul Angerer
Photo Credit: Sara Lando | Portfolio
Photo Credit: Carlos Adampol Galindo | Portfolio/Blog
More Light Painting Examples
If that’s not enough for you, who could blame you? Check out more fabulous examples of Light Painting from my Friday Finds Flickr group!
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Wow! Creativity…something of which I have none, but admire so much in others. I really enjoyed this, Lynda.
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
Thanks! Light painting is an impressive art!
Twitter: @ccnoffi
wow – these are fantastic! Makes me wanna go play.
Twitter: @VsAfterbedtime
Lynda, you’re always bringing the awesome! These are just excellent. and the site is just beautiful, i’m so glad I visited this morning. you’re always such an inspiration. I’m not a photographer, but you’ve inspired me to aim for creativeness today. thanks!
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
Thanks Vanita! That made me smile.
Twitter: @osvme
that light painting thing is so awesome. i bought my diana the other day and in the book it said to get shots like that with a film camera you had to leave the shutter open for TWO HOURS!! i was like OMFG!! thank the gods for cable collars
Can somebody in brief explain me how can I create picture like the one with Jack Daniels bottle? I really like these kind of pictures however I am afraid that I will not be able to make them.
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
Hey Henry, here’s an article which explains the basics: painting with light. You can do a Google search for “light painting” to get some more tips and ideas!