Light drawings/ paintings are created by moving a light source infront of a camera, which is set at on a slow shutter speed. The camera then captures this movement and can create some magical effects.  It can also be created by selectively illuminating parts of a subject in a dark space. Light painting can take on the characteristics of a quick pencil sketch.

Check out this website for more information about how to create your own –

How To Shoot Light Trails

We were inspired by the many examples of other peoples uses of this photographic technique. Here are a few examples:

A bit of history for you-

In 1949 Pablo Picasso met Gjon Mili, a photographer and lighting innovator, who introduced Picasso to this style of photography. Picasso loved these photos and started creating his own by using a small flashlight in a dark room. This series of photos became known as Picasso’s “light drawings”.

Picasso’s “light drawings”

Gjon Mili’s photography

“ I had a great time learning about ‘Light Drawing Photogrphy’. I would like to do much more of it. We set up the meeting room as a dark space to work in. I would like to create a photo of myself with wings, a cross and a halo. I love the way that Pascal’s picture turned out.” Matthew Colgan

“It was very interesting. I wasn’t expecting the pictures to turn out the way that they did.” – Declan O’Neill

“This was very very interesting. I had never seen this done before. I will definitely want to do more with this.” – Suzanne Hyland

© 2012 HSE/EVE