Light painting with flash
Light painting with continuous light
Production stills by Rehan Miskci
Light Painting
A history of light painting can be seen here:
Much of this work is done with the light source pointed at
the camera and recording the light source as it travels. I want to concentrate on another aspect of
light painting and that is lighting a subject with the use of a continuous
light source such as a flashlight or even a cell phone. Along with this idea of light painting is the
idea of using multiple pops of a flash that is moved to different positions
throughout the exposure. Since digital
photograph has made it easy to combine images with the use of layers, it is now
practical to make a series of captures with the flash in different positions
and combine them in layers. The easiest
way is to use Lightroom, selecting the images you want to use in Library Grid
Mode, right click and choose Edit In…
Open as layers in Photoshop. Now
each layer can be controlled separately with the use of masking and any of the adjustment tools.
To make an image using a continuous light you will need to
keep the camera on a tripod and the shutter open. This discussion is for the Canon 5DMII. Set the exposure for a length of time that
will allow you to paint the light on the subject and the background (30 seconds
is the maximum time allowable). The room has to be dark enough
that it doesn't pick up any stray light during the long exposure. The f stop
and ISO are determined by trial and error. With practice a rhythm will develop and
improve your painting skills.
You can also use the Bulb setting but the shutter has to remain depressed during the entire exposure. You can use the Canon Remote Switch RS-80N3 to release the shutter and keep it open by exposing the red dot on the release handle. Slide the mechanism to close the shutter.
You can also use the Bulb setting but the shutter has to remain depressed during the entire exposure. You can use the Canon Remote Switch RS-80N3 to release the shutter and keep it open by exposing the red dot on the release handle. Slide the mechanism to close the shutter.
To make an image using a multiple flash image you are going
to actually make multiple captures with each exposure having the flash in a new
position. With the camera on a tripod
and the flash in one hand you setup the remote exposure as outlined below. A special cable is needed which is outlined
below.
Remote Camera Setup
We learned how to remotely trigger the 5D MII by using a special cable called the Canon N3 to mini phone by connecting the N3 side to the Canon's remote control terminal and the mini side to the Pocket Wizard II's camera port. By setting another Pocket Wizard Plus II to the same channel as the one attached to the camera, the camera shutter can be released by the remote Pocket Wizard Plus II when you press the test button remotely. We need a third Pocket Wizard Plus II to be attached to a Canon 580EXII (this is the only Canon flash with a pc connection) using a pc to mini cable. The pc end is inserted into the flash's pc terminal and the mini end is plugged into the 3rd Pocket Wizard Plus II's flash terminal. The 3rd Wizard has to be set on a channel that is one number higher than the other two Wizards. The 580EXII is set on External Manual Metering by using the custom function 5 option 3 as described below. Now we have the 580EXII and 3rd Pocket Wizard Plus II in one hand and the remote camera firing Pocket Wizard Plus II in the other. As we point the flash where we intend the light to land, we push the test button on the 1st Wizard and it trips the shutter and then automatically uses the pocket wizard mounded in the camera's hot shoe to sync with the flash and 3rd PocketWizard that is set on the next higher numbered channel. The subject needs to remain perfectly still and then as many captures from as many positions can be captured.
To use the flash on Manual External Metering you will need
to set the custom function on the flash. There is a external reflected light
sensor on the front of the 50EXII that will read the light where the flash is
pointed. Press and hold the light symbol/C.Fn
buttom for 2 seconds. Use the scroll wheel
to find the #5 custom function and press the Sel/Set button and scroll down to
#3 and press Sel/Set button again.
To set the ISO and f stop:
Tap the SEL/SET button so that the ISO is blinking. Use the wheel to select your ISO then tap the
SEL/SET button again to set it. Next tap
the SEL/SET button twice so that the f stop is blinking. Use the wheel to select your f stop and tap
the SEL/SET button again to set the f stop.
Aaron Jones 1980’s light painting.
Have fun!!
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