Tag Archives: Light Painting

Light Paintings turns a year old!

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Wow – it’s already been a year! Never really thought this blog would make it this far. Chances were I was going to lose interest after the first couple of posts, but 44 posts/pictures later here we are. Looking back at this year I must say that keeping the blog up-to-date with new pictures has really helped me stay motivated, and dedicated in my hobby. As to whether I’ve improved as a photographer, only you can be the judge of that, all I know is that there is still a lot of work to be done.

On the occasion of this anniversary (which also marks the first half of 2013), I have decided to reflect on my New Year’s resolutions, and see how far I’ve gotten against the goals I’ve set at the beginning of this year.

  • Explore Cyprus (take 3 pictures depicting life in Cyprus): Technically not doing so well here. I’ve taken a couple of shots (Oak tree, Protaras Pier and the Windmill), which with the exception of perhaps the Windmill, the rest have been of places that were a bit too familiar to me. Still need to get out there and explore!
  • Long Exposures (2 pictures particularly in B&W): Done! Started off experimenting with my trip to Petra tou Romiou,  and then managed to get a decent pic of the Protaras Pier. I am really growing fond of this technique, so I will definitely keep experimenting.
  • New Types of Photography (try out 3 new types): Getting there. Managed to try out Studio portrait photography and I’ve taken a crack at deep space photography (not posted anything yet cause of my initial failed attempt), but some work still to be done here.
  • Frame a picture: Surprisingly done! My picture of the Lake Boat is now proudly hanging in my bedroom. Still need to place a floating frame around it to better fit the size of the wall, but its a done deal and here is the proof!

Overall not a bad first half of the year. Looking forward to the next 6 months, hopefully managing to exceed my goals!

On this occassion, I’ve decided to post an old picture that I’ve taken about a year ago in the old part of Limassol, of an old house window.

Old Limassol Window - 1920c

Shot with my tripod-mounted Canon 60D and Sigma 18-200mm 3.5-6.3 OS lens, at ISO 100, F11, 1/15 sec and bracketed at -2/0/+2.

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Light Paintings

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I decided to call my blog “Light Paintings”. For me, these two simple words perfectly describe the art of photography. A photograph is nothing more than a blank canvas painted on with light – the photographer’s tool equivalent of a paint brush or crayons.

In fact there is an entire technique in photography dedicated to light painting using a variety of artificial light sources such as a flashlights, LED lights etc. The technique is simple – position yourself in a dark room, set up your tripod mounted camera for long shutter speeds (e.g. by setting your camera to Bulb Mode), trigger the shutter open, use a light source to paint your picture, then close the shutter. Simple as pie, but the results can be astonishing and the creative possibilities are endless.

Last night, was the first night in over a week with no Euro football matches on TV. Being bored to death and seeing that I could not get over the beer addiction I had developed in the previous days, I decided to set up the following shot. It’s by no means a work of art, but given that it took me just under 5 mins to compose, execute and process, I believe it proves my point.

Taken with my tripod mounted Canon 60D and Canon 24-70 F2.8L lens, in Manual mode, ISO 100, F11 with a 20″ exposure. Only adjustment made in Photoshop was to increase the Blacks slider to darken the background.