10 Tools and Techniques for Light Painting

Photography & Video
Image: JJ Harrison
Image: JJ Harrison

This article first appeared in MAKE Volume 38, on pages 52–55.

Light painting is an art form created by moving a light source and camera in relation to one another during a long exposure. Though light painting is almost as old as photography itself, it has seen an explosion in popularity since the advent of the digital camera. Modern light painters have developed a rich variety of original tools and methods to create their art. Here are just a few of my personal favorites.

1 thought on “10 Tools and Techniques for Light Painting

  1. Patrick Ko says:

    HI, you don’t speak about mobile applications witch can help us to do fun Light painting photo.
    I’m a photographer and I try some technics on light painting.
    I have develop an Android application witch help lightpainter to write words or paint with brush of different shapes or color.
    The app is visible here;
    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pat.ko.fr.lightpainting

    And a page shows some samples here;
    http://photifere.konieczny.fr/light-painting-tool
    Sorry, this site is only available in french for the moment.

    Could you give my application some visibilty on your web-site?

    thanks,
    with regards,
    Patrick.

Comments are closed.

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!
Tagged
Jason D. Page

JASON D. PAGE is a light painter and founder of lightpaintingphotography.com. Jason lives and works in Tequesta, Florida, and is an avid outdoorsman who often seeks out desolate places for his light painting work. Check out jasondpage.com for more of his light painting work.

View more articles by Jason D. Page

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK