This document discusses shutter speed and light painting techniques in photography. It begins with a recap of shutter speed, explaining that it determines how fast or slow the camera shutter opens to let in light and affects motion blur and brightness. It then discusses light painting, which involves moving a light source in long exposures at night or in dark rooms to paint with light. The document outlines the history of light painting from its origins in the late 1800s to modern uses with various light sources. It suggests practicing different shutter speeds to capture motion and effects, and assigns a light painting project due in 10 days.

1. Today, I will learn…
Shutter Speed
Light Painting
Learning Goals

2. Shutter Speed - Recap
What is Shutter Speed?
Shutter Speed refers to how fast or slow
your camera shutter will open to receive
light
It is measured in seconds and fractions
of seconds, for example;
1/1000th
second = fast shutter, less
light
15 seconds = slow shutter, more light
What does it also control?
Shutter Speed also controls how much
motion blur is in your image
Fast shutter speed (i.e. 1/1000) = less
motion blur, sharper image (freezes
time)
Slow shutter speed (i.e. 1/15) = more
motion blur, blurrier image
(demonstrates motion)

3. Shutter Speed - Recap
1/15 1/60 1/250 1/1000
Slow Shutter Speed Fast Shutter Speed

4. More light Less light
More motion blur Less motion blur
15s 8s 4s 1s ½ ¼ 1/8 1/15 1/30 1/60 1/125 1/250

8. 36 minute Shutter Speed!

9. Light Painting

10. Light Painting
What is it?
Light painting (a.k.a. light drawing or light graffiti)
Photographic technique in which exposures are
made usually at night or in a darkened room by
moving a handheld light source (sparklers,
flashlight, LED light, etc.) or by moving the camera.
In many cases the light source itself does not have to
appear in the image.
Also encompasses images lit from outside the frame
with handheld light sources (for example,
spotlights, laser pointers).

11. Light Painting
What is it?
Light painting requires a sufficiently slow
shutter speed, usually a second or more.
Doing so, will allow the camera to absorb
more light and movement.
 This is not Light Painting, but an
example of a slow shutter speed (15
seconds)

12. Light Painting
History
1889: Georges Demeny attached light
bulbs to the joints of an assistant and
created the first known light painting
photograph “Pathological Walk From in
Front”.

13. Light Painting
History
1935: Man Ray, the first artist to explore light painting
for creative purposes
Well-known light painting series, “Space Writing”
Used a pen light to create swirls and circles

15. Light Painting
History
1949: Gjon Mili photographed Pablo Picasso in what was
known as the “Pablo Picasso’s Light Paintings” series

16. “Picasso Draws a Centaur”

17. “Everything is Illuminated”

18. Light Painting
History
Light Painting has evolved into a expressive and creative
form of art
Photographers and artists have utilized various light
sources and techniques to create stunning light paintings

19. Sparklers

20. Steel wool

21. Pen light

22. Action figure + pen light

23. Pen lights

24. Sparklers

25. Sparklers

26. Flashlights?

27. Light Painting
History
For this project you will need to provide influences and
reasoning for inspiration…
Read through the History of Light Painting reading
provided on Edmodo to get some ideas of famous light
painting artists and works

28. http://www.light-paint.com/blog/introduction-to-light-painting/
Techniques & Tool Examples

29. Shutter Speed
Practice
Let’s practice using various shutter speeds to capture;
Motion
Flow
Creative effects (ghosting, multi-exposures)
Set your camera to Shutter Speed priority
Tv (Time Value) – Canon
S – Nikon
You’ll need…
Camera, set to slow shutter speed (try different speeds to see the effects)
Tripod (or very steady hands)
Patience!

30. Light Painting
Assignment
Assigned: February 10, 2015
Due: February 20, 2015