Painting with lights is one of my favorite photographic techniques. It is easy to do and you can create some really cool photos. To get started all you need is 4 things:
1) A camera with a manual setting for long exposures. Film cameras will work but digital cameras will allow you to see your shot in real-time allowing you to make corrections as you go.
2) A sturdy tri-pod. Since this is a long exposure you want your camera to be as still as possible. Having a good tri-pod helps keep the camera nice and still (Having a Shutter Release cable or wireless remote helps also).
3) A flashlight or other light source.
4) A dark location.
To start experimenting secure your camera to the tri-pod. Set your camera up for a long exposure. Turn on your light source and have fun. Try tracing an object or drawing a name in the air.
Physiograms
I created this heart photo with two glow sticks.
I attached my flashlight to my ceiling using a 4ft piece of string and by laying my camera facing up on a pillow I was able to get a flower like image and another shaped like a ufo.
When a light bulb swings above a camera, after each elliptical orbit the light returns to approximately the same position as last time, where it has about the same velocity. In a conventional physiogram, with the camera stationary, this gives a trace for each orbit near to the previous one, and it is this sequence of near-superimposition that builds an attractive picture out of simple ellipses. Even greater images can be created by rotating the camera injunction with the light source (looks like a flower). If you would like to know more about these images and how they were created email me or google Physiogram and check out the amazing images people are producing.
The images you can create using this photographic technique are endless.
