Light Painting- Long Exposure Photography

Painting With Light sounds like a slightly strange idea for a digital photography class, but there is a long history that goes back a ways, in fact Picasso was known for his light paintings.  These were created before computers, Adobe Photoshop and all the other 21st century gadgets we have.  In the 1950s Picasso was captured Painting with Light for a series of images shot by Life Magazine.  In these his trademark abstract, line drawins are evident, but the technology of long-exposure photography was utilized to capture these "paintings".  Make sure you click the above link and read the article and look at his images.

For this Unit you will be doing the following:
  • Watch the videos embedded here.
  • Click on all of the links here and investigate the artists and techniques outlined.
  • Look at the photo gallery below and click on each image to observe the possibilities with each.
  • Make sure you've read the Learning Target and also downloaded the Assignment Description so you're clear on what the expectations are. 
Learning Target:  Connect to contemporary and historical light painters:  photographers who use long exposure to capture light sources (natural and artificial) that appear to be painted or drawn with light. Research the various techniques and artists who are using these techniques.   Experiment with shutter speeds to capture light displays, night shoots, the stars and more.   Investigate techniques that allow drawing with light.  Experiment and push the limits of what your camera can do.  Create a series of 36 images that explores figure, natural and artificial light sources.  Edit and finalize 3 prints for critique presentation. 

Artists Who Dabble in Light Painting 
Hannu Huhtamo
http://laughingsquid.com/finnish-artist-uses-long-exposure-photography-to-paint-gorgeously-ethereal-illustrations-with-light/
Jason D. Page
Akinori Goto
Matthew Newman
Carrot Revolution
Light Painting
Light Painting Links
Light Painting Graffiti Group on Flickr
Light Painting Competition Group on Flickr
Lightpainters Create Their Own Reality Group on Flickr
Mrs. Bjork's Pinboard