Light Painting
By: Danielle Pontus and Horacio Rodriguez
(Digital Art Teachers Extraordinaire!)
Light painting, also known as light drawing or light graffiti is a
photographic technique in which a long exposures are made
usually at night or in a darkened room by moving a hand-held
What is Light Painting
light source or by moving the camera.
Here are some examples:
What do you need to create a
successful Light Painting?
 A digital camera with an “M” mode or bulb
mode capable of taking long exposures,
15, 20, 30+ seconds. (A DSLR)
 A tripod which will hold your camera steady
during the long exposure.
 A light source, led’s, flashlights,
photobulbs, and glow sticks all work well.
 A dark room or outside at night.
 Photo editing software like photoshop to
edit and enhance your final pictures if
needed.
Steps for creating a successful
Light Painting
 Experimentation is the key
 When tracing an object or person make
sure light source is pointed at the camera
and not obstructed
 If in a completely dark room have aperture
all the way open, if working outside at night
or someplace where there is ambient light
close down shutter
 Wear dark clothes to reduce the chance
you’ll be in the photograph.
Student Examples
Light Painting Web Resources
www.behance.net
http://www.diyphotography.net/paintin
g_with_light
http://lightpainting.org/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lichtfaktor
/2590165084/
Light Painting Artists Sites:
markthedark.com
lichtfaktor.eu
michaelbosanko.com
ericstaller.com
burnblue.com
How to find us
Danielle Pontus, Houston, Alief ISD Elsik HS,
dani@danipontus.com/danielle.pontus@aliefisd.net
Horacio Rodriguez, Houston, Houston ISD
Chavez HS, hrodrig3@houstonisd.org
To download this PP go to www.danipontus.com