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Mandé Daguerre's Avatar
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08-01-10, 02:37 AM
#1

Light Graffiti - anyone else tried it?

Ok.

All the 'kids' seem to be doing this these days, so I thought I'd give it a go.

I got the hang of it in the end, but it was too cold to continue, so I gave up

All images shot with either 15, 20, 25 or 30 sec exposures, using a small torch.

1. I thought I'd try one first in the spare room before going out into the cold


2. I was right...it was cold


3. Too cold to grow a flower


4. But perfect conditions for a snowman


5. I then tried to write the word SNOW, but failed miserably because you have to do each letter backwards


6. But I soon figured it out


7. Then I began to struggle for ideas. I think I had brain freeze


8. A really bad attempt at a lightning bolt


9. My torch can switch from a bright white light, to a dull yellowish colour, which made me think of Pac Man


10. The Magic Shed. What's really funny, is that for almost the entire duration of this 30 sec exposure, Logan seems to have been fixed to the one spot, wondering what the hell I was doing with the torch


11. I was beginning to really get the hang of it


12. A wee seat after all my hard work


Not bad for a 1st attempt I thought.

It's good fun and I'm sure with a bit more prep, you could come up with all sorts of wonderful ideas.
I think if you've got someone there to help you draw the shapes would really help too. Even drawing around someone would look pretty cool.

I'd like to see your own efforts if you get the chance to try it.


     
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08-01-10, 02:51 AM
#2

Re: Light Graffiti - anyone else tried it?

these are wicked MD!!

If I didn't hate the cold so much I'd have had a go!

Is it just a normal torch pointing towards the camera then?
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08-01-10, 02:55 AM
#3

Re: Light Graffiti - anyone else tried it?

STROBIST ALERT - STROBIST ALERT !

Fab shots - well executed and great imagination.

I like the snowman, pac man and the last bench shot the best.
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08-01-10, 05:24 AM
#4

Re: Light Graffiti - anyone else tried it?

Thanks Phil.
The pac man could have been better, but I'm really chuffed with my matchstick man on the bench.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Azz View Post
these are wicked MD!!

If I didn't hate the cold so much I'd have had a go!

Is it just a normal torch pointing towards the camera then?
Thanks Azz

Yup. It's just a normal torch, but you can use just about anything that emits light, like a mobile phone or ipod...that sort of thing.
You basically set your camera on the timer, 10 seconds is best to give you time to get ready.
Set the exposure to somewhere around 15-30 secs, depending on the conditions and how technical your image is going to be.

Then as soon as you hear the shutter go, turn on your light, aim it at the camera, and paint the shape in the air.

If you need to break a line, like my snowman's buttons, you have to either turn the light off and back on again, or do what I did, and just cover it with your hand, move it to the desired position, take your hand away for a second, then cover it again and move it to the next location, only everything you draw is invisible to you, so it takes a few goes to get the hang of it, but it's good fun when you see the results

Oh, and as for the cold...the first picture was done in the house. It just needs to be dark


     
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08-01-10, 10:10 AM
#5

Re: Light Graffiti - anyone else tried it?

Oooooh those are brilliant! My kids would love to do that with me.
My 9 year old is trying to think of something to do for his 52 project, bet he'll want to do this after I show him.
What were you other settings?
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08-01-10, 11:03 AM
#6

Re: Light Graffiti - anyone else tried it?

The settings were pretty much the same for every shot.

Exposure time somewhere between 15 - 30 secs, depending on how long you think it will take you to create your masterpiece.

F stop somewhere between 3.5 and 5.6, again depending on the duration of the exposure. For a longer exposure, I'd go down to 5.6, shorter exposure I'd open it up a bit to 3.5.

ISO was set at 100

The key thing to remember, if you're on your own at least, is to focus roughly on the spot you're going to do your painting, then lock off the camera and set your timer at 10 seconds. This gives you time to get into position.

If your taking the picture of someone else doing it, even better. You could even set the exposure to BULB, allowing the "artist/artists" plenty of time to create some wonderful designs.

I look forward to seeing your results


     
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08-01-10, 01:08 PM
#7

Re: Light Graffiti - anyone else tried it?

Thanks MD - I'll add it to me to-do list when I get a tripod
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08-01-10, 01:24 PM
#8

Re: Light Graffiti - anyone else tried it?

LURV PacMan!!


     
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08-01-10, 01:36 PM
#9

Re: Light Graffiti - anyone else tried it?

Love the snowman and snow

Something to try tonight I think when the kids are bored
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08-01-10, 02:27 PM
#10

Re: Light Graffiti - anyone else tried it?

PAC MAN!!!! Is brilliant!


     
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