Yo Photographer
Register for FREE!
Go Back   Photography Forum > General Photography Forums > Photography Talk


Log-in/register to unlock all the member quick-links and features!
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >


Mandé Daguerre's Avatar
Mandé Daguerre
Senior Member
Mandé Daguerre is offline
Mandé Daguerre is Male
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: x
Posts: 1,175
 
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.


     
Azz's Avatar
Azz
Admin Team
Azz is offline
Azz is Male
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: South Wales, UK
Posts: 15,385
Comments/Critique welcome You may edit and repost my images but ONLY on this site
 
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?
Kit 1
Nikon D300
Nikon 55-200mm VR
Kit 2
Nikon D40
Nikon 18-55mm
My Compact/P&S: Panasonic Lumix TZ7


     
Phil's Avatar
Phil
Fondly Remembered
Phil is offline
Phil is Male
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Perthshire Scotland
Posts: 8,168
Comments/Critique welcome You may edit and repost my images but ONLY on this site
 
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.
Kit 1
Canon 1D Mark 3
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Kit 2
1D2 & 40D


     
Mandé Daguerre's Avatar
Mandé Daguerre
Senior Member
Mandé Daguerre is offline
Mandé Daguerre is Male
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: x
Posts: 1,175
 
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


     
little me's Avatar
little me
Senior Member
little me is offline
little me is Female
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Norfolk, UK
Posts: 2,615
Comments/Critique welcome
 
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?
Kit 1
Canon 550D
Canon 50mm 1.8
Sigma 30mm 1.4
on loan: Tamron 90mm
Kit 2
Canon 300D (in use by my 10 year old)
Other Kit
View my profile to see my other kit!
My Compact/P&S: broken


     
Mandé Daguerre's Avatar
Mandé Daguerre
Senior Member
Mandé Daguerre is offline
Mandé Daguerre is Male
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: x
Posts: 1,175
 
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


     
Azz's Avatar
Azz
Admin Team
Azz is offline
Azz is Male
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: South Wales, UK
Posts: 15,385
Comments/Critique welcome You may edit and repost my images but ONLY on this site
 
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
Kit 1
Nikon D300
Nikon 55-200mm VR
Kit 2
Nikon D40
Nikon 18-55mm
My Compact/P&S: Panasonic Lumix TZ7


     
DaisyChains's Avatar
DaisyChains
Senior Member
DaisyChains is offline
DaisyChains is Female
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,033
Comments/Critique welcome You may edit and repost my images but ONLY on this site
 
08-01-10, 01:24 PM
#8

Re: Light Graffiti - anyone else tried it?

LURV PacMan!!


     
Carole's Avatar
Carole
Stealth Mod
Carole is offline
Carole is Female
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 2,314
Comments/Critique welcome You may edit and repost my images but ONLY on this site
 
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
Kit 1
Canon EOS400D
Canon 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
Canon EF-S 10-18mm
Kit 2
Canon EOS750D
My Compact/P&S: Panasonic TZ8


     
Moonstone
Senior Member
Moonstone is offline
Moonstone is Female
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: uk/usa
Posts: 10,146
 
08-01-10, 02:27 PM
#10

Re: Light Graffiti - anyone else tried it?

PAC MAN!!!! Is brilliant!


     
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >

Tags
Sony Alpha a700 12mp, Sony DT 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 Zoom Lens

Top
Forum Jump

© Copyright 2008, Yo Photographer   Yo Photographer | Contact Us | Archive | Privacy Statement | Terms of Use | Top