The technique of painting with light in the studio is based on illuminating a subject, typically a model's face and body, with a hand-held light source during a long exposure. Using a similar technique, light can also be added behind the subject to create a background of light.
Painting a model with light creates a soft, moody feel to a photograph. But, the background does not need to be ignored if you wih to brighten it, too, with light.
A dark background seems to suit the mood of an image in which a model is painted with light, but there are no hard and fast rules that you must follow when you are being creative. Your background can be bright, illuminated in a traditional manner by directing light onto it, or can be a background of light itself.
There are many ways to create a background of light. The effect can be quite dramatic.
There are numerous ways to add a background of light. For our examples here, we used an inexpensive string of decorative lights that are available in most hardware and department stores. You will often see these light strings used in retail and holiday displays.
For our background of light, we used a string of lights that are commonly used in Christmas decorations.
Our light string, which contained multi-colored bulbs, was twirled and moved around to fill the space behind the model during a time exposure in which the shutter remained open. A separate flashlight was aimed at the model and moved over her body to paint her with light.
You may wish to use a string of small Christmas tree bulbs instead of a light string, or one or more small flashlights, perhaps covering their lenses with colored gel. Or, you could experiment with light sticks (also known as glow sticks or LED sticks), candles or low-wattage light bulbs. The essential idea is that you will be photographing the light itself, not what it is illuminating, for your background.
Care must be taken to fully illuminate the background. Missing an area may spoil the effect.
As a rule of thumb, the light source you employ should not be so bright that it overpowers the scene or spills too much light onto the model or onto other areas where it isn't wanted. But, like all rules of thumb, it is okay to break them to experiment. You may achieve a lighting effect that produces an excellent photograph.
This technique is easier to do if you employ one or two assistants to aim the lights under your direction. Care must be taken that the persons handling the lights are not themselves illuminated by them, preventing them from being seen in the picture. Having them wear dark, non-reflective clothing will help.
Filling the background while also painting the model's body with light results in an unusual photograph like this.
Our pictures are by no means representative of the range of backgrounds that can be achieved using light alone. You may wish to move your lights to create a gentle wave-like pattern, a frenetic zig-zag design, or to "draw" circles or other geometric shapes. You can even use a light to write your name in the air, or, with practice, to draw a recognizable figure.
You may wish to see if you can create the appearance of light rays or aim your lights at the camera through a layer of fog, if you have a fog machine. You can cut out star shapes from dark paper and tape the paper over a flashlight lens, then repeatedly turn the flashlight on and off from different locations while aiming it at the camera to create the illusion of a starry night.
The point is that you are restricted only by your imagination.
NOT JUST FOR FEMALE MODELS
The technique can be used with any number of subjects. Your subject does not have to be a model; it can be a product, for example, or any items you choose.
A STUDIO IS NOT A NECESSITY FOR THIS TECHNIQUE
The technique also does not need to be conducted in a studio, although it is generally more convenient to use one. It can be carried out in any location, even outdoors, provided that your subject and background are in darkness so that the only illumination will be from the light you add.
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