Photography Lessons: How to Light Paint Quiz

Answer: using a long exposure to draw or write with light

Light painting is done by using a long exposure, or slow shutter speed. You then use a light source to draw pictures or write words. You can also use light painting to trace an object to give it a cool effect. Because of the slow shutter speed, the movements of the light are captured.

Answer: to get a wider angle

A tripod is a three legged stand used to keep your camera steady and in place. It also helps you to take the photo by yourself as no one would have to hold the camera for you. A tripod is required for doing a light painting, because if the camera moves while taking a long exposure, the photo will be blurry.

Answer: flashlight

Anything that produces light can be used to light paint with, but flashlights usually work the best. Flashlights tend to be brighter than other options and they can be easily turned on and off. Sparklers have a cool effect, but they don't last long, and since they are a continuous light, it limits what you can paint. Light from a cell phone screen might be too dim and they can be awkward to hold as well. Glow sticks would also be very dim, but are possible to use.

Answer: Yes

Dark or black clothes would be the best thing to wear when doing a light painting. Since it is a long exposure and you are moving around, you won't really appear in the picture. But, if you are wearing bright clothes or stand still for too long, you might be seen as a blurry, ghost-like figure.

Answer: whether it is inside or outside

Light paintings can be taken most anywhere, inside or outside, as long as it is dark enough. You can do them in a room with the lights out, but there may not be enough space for you to move around and objects may be lit up that you don't want to see in the picture.

The best place to light paint would be an open area outside, preferably away from a lot of city or traffic lights. The darker it is, the longer you can leave your shutter open without worrying about the picture getting too bright with ambient light.

The bigger the area, the bigger the light painting can be as well. If you don't have a lot of space at home, you can go to a public park or similar area. But, make sure not to go on private land without permission. Some parks may have times when they are closed as well.

Answer: bulb mode

Some cameras will have a bulb mode option under the manual or shutter speed priority settings. This mode allows you to keep the shutter open for as long as the shutter button is being pressed. However, the pressure of someone pressing the button for that long may add camera shake, or blurriness, to your final picture. Plus, you would need someone to keep it pressed for you.

When using bulb mode, it is best to use a remote, which can be pressed once to start the exposure and again to end it when you are ready.

Answer: The photo might not be very sharp/in focus.

Using a wide aperture, such as anything from f/1.4 to f/2.8, means having a narrow depth of field, or a small section that is in focus. This means that if you are doing a light painting with more than one person or moving in more than just a straight line across the frame, part of the picture may be out of focus or not have a very sharp focus.

Anther reason to not use a wide aperture is because more light would be allowed in and you would have to use a faster shutter speed to make up for it.

Answer: to reduce noise/grain

Since you will be using a slow shutter speed and a tripod, there is no need for a high ISO. A high ISO will cause your photo to look grainy, especially in the dark areas. It would also make your picture brighter, which would mean you'd have to use a faster shutter speed, which you don't want. Most cameras will let the ISO go as low as 100, but some may go lower.

Answer: False

Either auto or manual focus can be used to get your camera to focus on the right spot. Since you are in the dark, you will need a point of light in the right spot to focus on. If you have someone to help you, they can stand with a light pointed at the camera and you can either focus manually or let your camera focus itself. If you are alone and have a remote, you can point the remote and light at the camera and it should auto focus on you. If you don't have anyone with you or a remote, you can set a flashlight on the ground in the right place and focus on that, then set your camera to manual focus so it won't try to refocus.

Answer: mirrored

Set a timer and get into position or use your remote to start the exposure, then create your painting. Make sure to face the camera so it can see the light and point the light source forward. Keep yourself and the light moving. If your light is still for too long, it will create a flare. The speed at which you paint is not too important, but if you move too slowly, you may not have time to finish unless you are using a remote.

If you are writing, you need to do it mirrored so the camera will capture it correctly. If you write normally while facing the camera, the words will be backwards in the final photo. However, it is possible to flip the photo in post-processing later if you have photo editing software. It may take time to get used to mirror writing.