AlphaMountWorld would like to extend a big thanks to Andrew for contributing this article!

Painting with light is a fun, and simple way to add that extra sparkle to your photos. The basic technique can be applied to many aspects of photography (including architecture), however I have found that itʼs most effective with macro/product photography.

The technique isn't particularly new, however, the advent of high quality and relatively cheap DSLRs has meant there has never been a better time to try it. Using a DSLR brings with it a number of advances, most notably the fact it's possible to experiment as many times as needed without spending a fortune on film processing. It also means more complex images can be created, with several layers containing different coloured light trails- using film it was nigh on impossible to create layered effects.

Below is one of my most successful images using this technique, and in this article I will explain the steps taken to create it.

Sony A100 DSLR: Konica Minolta 5D and 5 20 second exposures.

Technique.

The technique required to produce images like the one above is actually relatively simple. I set the camera (a Minolta 5D) up on a tripod in my garage and selected the two second shutter release to include mirror lock up. I then placed an A100 onto a workbench (which had a sheet of black paper for the background). It was simply a case of taking a test shot to judge the exposure needed to get enough of a light trail, but not to overexpose the image, and then tracing around the camera with a mini maglite torch. I would recommend a fairly long shutter time to give you more time to trace around the subject. In the image above it used a 20 second exposure. I split the camera up into five parts (grip, control dials, Sony badge, lens and left had side) which would later allow me to create and multi coloured image.

Once I had finished the photos I converted the RAW files and combined the images in Adobe Photoshop Elements.

Start images.

The images don't look like much yet, but once in an image editor they take on a whole new perspective.

Assembly.

Open the images into Photoshop (or similar- any editing program will work, as long as it has layers and blending modes). Paste the images onto one photo, and then change the blending modes to screen. Do this on all of the layers except the background image.
 

 
Your image should now reveal all the light trails. The purpose of setting the blending modes to screen is that it allows the lights from each layer to show through. This leaves one final, composite image.

The next stage is to alter the hue and saturation of each layer (do this with adjustment layers for added control) remember to click the colorize checkbox.. Pick bold and contrasting colours for maximum impact.
 

 
 
When changing the hue of a layer, it is important to 'clip' the adjustment layer to a specific layer. If you donʼt do this you will get a colour cast over the entire image.

Repeat this process for all of the individual layers and you should end up with a very vivid and interesting result.

Examples.

The two examples here show the versatility of this technique. The image of the Alpha 100 shows how effective several different colours can be, and the boot image shows a more simple, albeit just as effective result.

Hopefully this article has inspired you to give painting with light a go, it's simple to do yet produces great results. It's an ideal technique for dull and rainy days!

Author - Andrew Woodhouse