This article was taken from the April 2014 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
Light graffiti, also known as light painting, is an art form using a camera set up for long exposure and a moving light source.
It can be made with simple lighting tools and, if you have a DSLR, or other sufficiently controllable camera, you already have everything you need. With these, you can create glowing patterns out of thin air.
Prepare your studio
You need a relatively dark area in which to work in, and a camera that is capable of varying its shutter speed. Also, you'll need a light source like a small LED or laser pointer to create shapes with.
Master the basics
The simplest way to introduce yourself to the effect is to point your camera on a light in a room, open the shutter (trigger the camera) and move it around. The camera will capture all of the light entering the lens and will leave a streak across the image.
Start experimenting
In a dark area, set your camera up for a timed long exposure.
Trigger the camera and move a light source in front of the lens.
The resulting image will be a trace of where you've moved the light as if it were frozen in time. Using this method you can produce shapes or even writing (just remember to write backwards).
Improve your picture
Focusing correctly in the dark can be frustrating. Shine a light on an object near where you will be performing and focus there.
Turn your auto-focus off afterwards (if you used it), then trigger the camera with these lens settings in place.
Accessorise
You can get a remote trigger for your camera. If it has the capability, set your camera up on a "bulb" setting. Trigger the camera remotely. Make all the light graffiti you want, then remotely trigger the camera again to turn off the exposure.
Move the light
Another popular technique is to put a light source at the end of a string and swing it in a circle. With this you can produce rings, a "vortex" by moving away from the camera, or an orb by swinging it in front of you while rotating your body in a circle.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
