My Light Painting Evolving

[ishamy]

Thought I would create this thread just as a timeline on how my skills, technique and creativity change while I learn new things. I have just really got into this over the last month and think I have become addicted!

This first batch of photos are repeats from separate threads but this will be where I post this from now on.

All photos are pretty must straight out of camera, only PP is possible slight crop, small levels adjust and slight noise reduction depending on conditions.

First Physiogram


First Physiogram by M+M Morrison, on Flickr


Red Physiogram by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

A bit of light-painting


Barvas Ruin by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

Then the Orbs, first came the making of the Orb tool and the first Orbs.

The prep


Can you tell what it's going to be??? by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

The first Orb


First Orb by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

After the first night the wire I used broke, so got the tools out and used a good bit of Hi Flex power cord. Results was quite better and more controlled, a bit more practise and should be looking dam good Was quite hard avoiding the couch and worktop though hence one or two off swings.


Another Indoor Orb by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

Then the first 'Outdoor' Orb. Came out pretty good although the exposure was too short so had to up the levels slightly.


First Outdoor Orb by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

Then a bit of Aurora Borealis

1*

Aurora And The Orb by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

2*

Aurora Spin by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

 

[ishamy]

This was the most recent outing, last night was pretty good location. A bit of light pollution but the results came out good I think.

So tonight I ventured out with the wife to a new location I had never been, the Stornoway Gun Battery/Lookout (From circa WW2 I think, will have to look into the history of it another time) Had a lot of fun and added a bit more experience.

1*

Orbing at the Battery by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

2*

A Hot Gun Battery by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

3*

Ball of Light by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

4*

Burning Lookout! by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

Thanks for looking, thoughts and C&C more than welcome

Awesome. Super camp Stanley knife though

Haha you gotta make do with what you got (its the wife's... honest!)

 

[ishamy]

As Auraomega said it is wirewool. Just find a good location, a bit of wire wool, 9v battery, something to hold the wool in and spin!

Creates amazing effects that just makes me go 'Ahh@ everytime I see the result on the LCD when I get back ot the camera. To be honest all this lightpainting shiz makes me go 'wow' how does it do that haha (I know how but, you know? How?)

Thanks for checking out. Will have to put a pic of the gear I use etc at somepoint aswell.

 

[ishamy]

Took delivery of the new tool today, later than hoped but was worth the wait!

LED Lenser V24 in Blue


The New Toy by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

First Shot


First Shot Using the V24 by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

Another


V24 Squiggle by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

Can't wait for the cloud and rain to go away!

 

[ishamy]

Thanks, sorry no link as it was a one off sale, they were discontinued a number of years ago so are very hard to get hold of.

As for the sensor, it will be fine, as it is basically an Led torch with a Perspex rod shoved on the end, just bright enough to light up the rod and to be used as atorch of need be.

So chuffed in getting one, took 3 months of searching!

 

[ishamy]

WOuld you show a pic of the actual orb tool once built? I cant picture it

I will do, been waiting for the V24 so I could put up a full shot of the kit I use and going to use.

Ah sorry - read lenser as laser

Haha yea lookign at getting one of them too should give nice effects going by some shots I've seen!

how's everyone's german?

can't tell if they deliver to the UK or not
http://www.eslebedaslicht.de/produc...kel-fuer-Innen---Aussen-V24-seven-colors.html

Looks interesting that! May have to find a translator!

 

[ishamy]

Haven't got a shot of my stuff yet but will get it done tomorrow. Now on to the fun stuff! Tonights escapade seen a return to the Barvas Machair (where I shot the Light Painted Ruin) Orbs weren't my strong point to night, I put it down to the uneven rough terrain (and my noob-ness) but will have to learn to over come it with practice. Lenser V24 had its first proper outing as well, love it, love it and love it! On with the shots though.


Barvas River by M+M Morrison, on Flickr


Barvas River 2 by M+M Morrison, on Flickr


Ruined Orb by M+M Morrison, on Flickr


Ruin Fire by M+M Morrison, on Flickr


Night Ruin by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

Hope you enjoy looking as much as I do taking.
Thanks

 

[ishamy]

Thank you very much. I was out again last night, first meet up with a fellow light-painter who has been doing it for quite some time, Colin Cameron. Was a great night I learned quite a bit from him and was good having someone around to point out/help with and yarn to about techniques.

Here are the first 3 of the set, will add the rest over the next few days.


Orbing on the Pier by M+M Morrison, on Flickr


Bayble Island Orb by M+M Morrison, on Flickr


Burning in Bayble by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

Main thing I changed here was the weight of my Orb tool, I wasn't happy with the Orbs from the Barvas Machair, so took some weight off it. It seemed to help big style. I also went for 2 gels, each covered half of the LED's on the end which led to a nice effect (I think) so will continue to experiment. Also used the Exposure Calculator App to help out exposure times etc.

 

[ishamy]

Thanks for the replay and advice guys, much appreciated as always. Regarding the light pollution, I do think it fits well into the shots of the gun battery as they themselves look very industrial. I wasn't 100% sure at first but now I love the shots.

Thanks for following Sloth, it's always reassuring to know that people are interested and understand what's going on, thinking I'm crazy etc etc haha! As for the wool, I'm addicted! I have another 6ish shots from the outing with a wool burn in there aswell so will get them up soon.

 

[ishamy]

Ok so heres a few more from Friday night. A bit more playing with the V24 and learning how to use it in different ways, with and without the rod on the end. Got more Orbs in as well, was really liking the effect the two gels gave and the drop in weight really helped I think.


Orb Trails by M+M Morrison, on Flickr


Glowing Orb by M+M Morrison, on Flickr


Rocking with the V24 by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

And in my opinion the best from this location...


Orbing Fire by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

 

[ishamy]

Thanks for the comments guys. These were all taken after dark, the recent ones We're taken on Friday between 10 and half 2-3 in the morning. If you look at the images on Flickr and click the camera model you can see the exif info with all the settings. Most the other night were 4 minutes 4 and a half. However 'Orb Trails' was 6 and a half-ish long to get more of a star trail through it.

These two also stand out for me to, I do really like them.

As for getting the balls round, it's all down to technique. Place a marker on the ground, spin your orb tool making sure on every rotation it goes over it. Keeping your wrist in the same place walk around the marker keeping each swing over the marker. It's tricky, I'm still learning and perfecting it. There are a good few 'how to' videos online, a good site to check out is Light-Paint, there's some good videos and tutorials on there.

 

[ishamy]

Here is the last shot of the set and of the night from Friday. Enjoy


Balls at the Beach by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

 

[ishamy]

So my next few shots from a trip out last night. Where I live I'm lucky with how far north I am, add the fact this year is good for Northern Light Spotting makes me doubly lucky, having only seen them for the first time last month made me happy... you can guess where this is going


Not strictly light-painted by me, but more by the lighthouse that was a few meters behind me

Nisheach Northern Lights by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

Moved to another location later in the night for a bit of proper light-painting.


Aurora Ribbon by M+M Morrison, on Flickr


Blue on Green by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

Unfortunately I snapped the screw section of my V24 should be able to fix it though, thats even after the warning of how sensitive they are. A good night was had though. Very tough conditions, high wind rendered normal orbs out, sleet and complete darkness made the night very challenging. Most fun after the fact of seeing the Aurora was doing the V24 Orb, harder than it looks but came out great apart from the blown bits, loved the glow round about though!

Till the next night out! Cheers!

 

[ishamy]

Most recent shot, taken tonight. Had this location planned for a while as you can see this little hut/shack from my flat, what I couldn't see from my flat was teh bog leading up to it, the bog inside it and the smell was a good half hour well spent though haha! Did a bit of alterations to my back-up Orb tool so now have two exactly the same. Added 'The Purple One' quality street wrapper as the gel for this one and its going to stay... loving the colour that it gives.


Surrounding is lit by the lights of Stornoway Harbor.


The Orb Shack! by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

Took a second shot in exactly the same position with an Orb on top of the roof, was going to overlap it with this to give two orbs... but it didn't turn out as good. Might look at messing with it again sometime.

Just to add, I feel as though I am really getting there with my Orbs now. They have come on and changed quite a bit from the first attempts. I now (since the Orbs done in Bayble, the red/blue) do a 720 degree turn on the Orbs, that's twice walking around instead of the once, I feel it adds more fullness to it. I've also learned that the weight on the end of the tool shouldn't be to heavy either, firstly because if it hits you on the head at any point it won't hurt as much! Secondly, you don't have to put as much effort from your wrist to keep the spin going. Thirdly, I find it easier to keep it on a vertical spin as well as easier to control over your marker. I have recently been using 10p coins as my markers, last night I forgot both of the ones I took out! I used the 10p as its quite good at reflecting a bit of light back to you when the tool goes over/near it so you can correct the spin easier mid swing. I might move on to 5p's just because its cheaper in the long run

 

[ishamy]

Yea I must apologise to anyone waiting on tool picture, I was meaning to put a shot up of them as well as the rest of my kit and something always came up. Whether I broke something, something missing or simply not getting around to it. I plan on taking a shot once I get my sick V24 back from the repair mod my Father In-law is doing to it.

Thanks as-well for the comment, practise and technique is all I can say, see what works for you and see what happens with different settings/tries

 

[ishamy]

So here goes, finally a shot (poor quality as my compact died) of the stuff I use for all the above (so far anyway haha)


Photo 200! by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

Any questions, just ask

The images on Flickr has the notes saying what everything is etc.

 

[ishamy]

Where did you get the "lights" from?

I've been looking at videos and they all require you to buy things, chop them up and rewire different pieces together. I wouldn't mind doing it, but I think if I just went out and bought anything as soon as I start to spin the thing it'll be flung off into the lower atmosphere!!!

This is what I got link snipped the LEDs off and left enough wire to strip back on both the led side and battery pack (2 x AA) Added in the flex long enough to swing, soldered and insulated wires with duck tape and then strengthened with 2 long bolts.

Just to add, even although there's a lot of stuff in the shot, the only lens I have used so far for Light-Painting is the 10-20mm, its just so amazing to get as much as possible in the frame. Having a UWA, to me, makes everything look so vast and open, including the distortion which I kind of like. There are some shots when you do an Orb towards the edge of the frame where it goes egg shaped (Glowing Orb) which to some people I know they might not like it, but it can still look really good depending on the situation and the effect your going for.

 

[ishamy]

Back again, however with a new and improved orb tool! First one of tonights short outing, very wet so only managed to get about 6-7 shots between the showers so heres the first. Wanted an Orb under this bridge for a while and finally managed it, the new tool made it more worth while as well I think.


Under The Bridge... by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

Great fun! Now if your anything like me you will have the Red Hot Chilies playing in you head!

 

[ishamy]

Now for a few more from last night, good in between the showers, won't do this again, my camera doesn't suit an Argos bag over it!

First off is some V24 ghosts, been wanting to try them for a while, the first in the house wasn't to successful. They are a lot harder than they look! Also first outing since the breakage and repair job on the V24, happy days. Taken at Lady Matheson's monument in the Lewis Castle Grounds.


A Ghostly Memorial by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

Next is another Orb done in the small garden area a few meters from the monument. A bit of LED light to help brighten the place and bluebells up.


The Eye of Sauron by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

First go at a broken Orb... Not so easy, timing form switching on and off is critical, more practise I think!


Broken Orb by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

 

[ishamy]

This week has been a good Light-Painting week for me I would say, new Orb tool to experiment with and get frustrated over, 2 outings to two new places as well as getting some great results (I think anyway). It has just been under 2 months since I spun my first Orb now and I have had immense fun taking the shots and sharing with you how they turn out, how the learning process is going and hopefully help more people get into Light-Painting and see what its all about.

So here are two shots from last nights trip to 'The Braigh' beach 10 mins drive from where I live, (The beach is the one just to the right in the shot Balls at the Beach, we never made onto the actual beach that night though)


Stairway to Another World by M+M Morrison, on Flickr


Dual Orbing by M+M Morrison, on Flickr

Hopefully have a few more from last night coming up either later today or tomorrow