Advanced light painting

Jaffster

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Danny
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So, probably all of us have experimented with Light painting at some point. Very easy to do, some cool effects to be had and loads of fun. We've probably all descended to drawing genitals and other childish things when out with friends at some point (or maybe that's just me) like here: http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=175883

But, taking it that one step further... I'm guessing that somewhere, on the internet, there's things like stencils and guides for taking light painting that one step further. I've seen images were people have done batman wings behind a person, completely smooth lines and the wings are equal sizes on either side. This is harder than it looks as we found out last night.

Anyone well experienced with good light painting images, willing to share some techniques with us? I want to get past the shakey lines and 'sketch' like looks.
 
I've been thinking about doing a heaven/hell themed one for my first. Get a couple of female friends, dress them up and then make stencils from card.

Get large enough card, draw on wings/halo/horns etc, cut out then place next to subject and run a light around the back. Maybe spray card black first to make sure it isn't picked up.

I haven't get around to trying it yet but hopefully will soon :)
 
I've been thinking about doing a heaven/hell themed one for my first. Get a couple of female friends, dress them up and then make stencils from card.

Get large enough card, draw on wings/halo/horns etc, cut out then place next to subject and run a light around the back. Maybe spray card black first to make sure it isn't picked up.

I haven't get around to trying it yet but hopefully will soon :)

So, I presume that stencil is definately the way forward then?
 
From his website:

"The work I carry out involves using torches; I use many kinds: standard household torches, penlights, LED torches, LED strips, florescent bulbs, flashing lights, flash-lights…anything from very dim, to ultra bright… anything goes, depending on what I set out to achieve.

I set one golden rule; absolutely NO photo editing… everything I do is captured in one exposure. On rare occasions I will crop an image, or use slight colour correction, but these are few and far between, which means composition, correct colour and light, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, the complete works all take place in-camera. By doing all this, my work becomes 100% authentic… in other words, what you see is what you get. I do not use wires or rigs of any kind... everything I create is done freestyle... I find the process organic, mesmerising, magical...

I have worked with global leaders in charity, communications, vehicles, film, a string of agencies and am about to embark on a journey into the music industry. I continue to share knowledge by writing editorials in major photography magazines and will soon be working on a series of animated pieces. The locations I visit pretty much cover the entire UK and mainland Europe.

For my part, my discovery into light painting (or light sculpting, light graffiti) started off early this decade, 2003-2004. While indulging in photography in Greece, I hand-held my camera and used the light of the moon to trace out a pattern of words, then transferred the technique to torchlight. The art itself has roots as way back as the beginnings of photography itself. Later, probably the first person to consciously ‘draw’ with light is Pablo Picasso, captured by Gjon Mili back in 1949.

Finally, from dusk till dawn, I give eternal thanks to the friends, family, students and the people who I have collaborated with and who continue to support my work, my passion. Thank you :)"
 
that guy has one amazing skill.

Get him to sign up here and we can pick his brains for hours, if not days!
 
My friend Michael Bosanko...

I was looking at that guys website just the other day. Superb art!

How much skill you need to produce this...?!

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Wow! Cheers :D


Truely amazing work mate!!

How did get to do these kinda images? Did it evolve from the likes of us (drawing mens bits in the air) to designing and creating them? Stunning!!
 
My stuff in the beginnings (back in 2004) were basic, but planned out, but evolved quite quickly... Regrettably, I have never created a phallus shape of any kind :lol: Maybe one day I should, but do so with as much creativity as I can throw a glow stick at :D


Would love to see it in action, must be one big mental puzzle (ie where you have already drawn and whats left to do!)
 
Have I read this right? :eek:

Top work Michael... really love the beach garden/flower shots! :thumbs:



lol - i would love to see the real stuff in action, not the crude ones :)
 
I'd also be more than willing to pay £££ to see this stuff in action, via a workshop or something. It's really amazing, I've already spent several minutes staring at the above flower shot, trying to figure out how you have done it so clear and sharp, there's no escaping lines of light either from hand shake etc...

Do you use stencils? You're not giving much away, is this like a magician and his magic? ;)
 

Hi and welcome.
I saw a small article in a mag by yourself a few months ago and it inspired me to start getting into light graf myself. I just wanted to say thanks :thumbs:
Its been fun so far and a lot of my mates who see my pics want to start joining in. Some of your pics on your site have masses of work on them, do you ever get anyone else involved or are you always doing it solo (that sounds wrong :eek:)?

Here are two of my armature shots.

3913038411_3d3ef3ca1e.jpg

4034631088_74b110f2a1.jpg
 
Until he comes back, my take on why MB has got this down pat - dedication. He's been living like a vampire for years staying up through the night, practicing, persevering, experimenting and refining. As anything in life you get out what you put in and Michael has put a hell of alot in to becoming a master of his craft :)
 
I'm inspired, going to give this a try over the weekend.

Michael is a genius I couldn't create those drawing WITH a stencil so to do them free hand is out standing.
 
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