Light brush
From Nikonians Wiki
A light brush is a specialist lighting unit which delivers very small amounts of continuous, colour-controlled light to a handheld device similar in size to a large paintbrush. The same effect can often be achieved with a domestic flashlight, although colour will be variable.
The technique of light brushing is essentially 'painting with light'.
- The photographer sets up the scene completely, and composes the frame through the viewfinder of a tripod-mounted camera.
- The camera is preset for a long exposure, such as 30 seconds, or set to bulb.
- long exposure noise reduction, where available, is engaged
- Room lights are switched off, with all other ambient light extinguished.
- The photographer triggers the exposure
- Taking care not to upset the scene, the photographer switches on the light brush and 'paints' light across the image
- Once sufficient light has been painted, the photographer switches off the light brush, and ends the exposure
Light brushing requires a considerable amount of practice until the photographer is able to judge exposure correctly.
Although potentially cumbersome, light brushing is capable of unique effects, and opens up possibilities for an entirely different photographic approach.
Because the exposure is triggered and ended in darkness, there is no significant problem if the camera is disturbed slightly while triggering, provided that residual vibration ceases before light brushing begins.
- This page was last modified on 1 January 2009, at 21:29.
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