light painting tips

hando · 13 Sep 2013, 5:50 pm

just picked up a second hand nikon d5100 with 4 lense a 35,50 18-55,18-105 af-s but no manual and dont know squat about taking pictures. what are some basic settings for light painting do i need hi or low appeture fast or slow shutter speed do i need a remote shutter release or can use camera timer. any tips greatly appreciated

hando · 13 Sep 2013, 8:11 pm

just downloaded a remote shutter release on phone for $1.70 as aposed to $47 in store works like a treat all the auto focus works gonna try some light painting when it gets darker at work.

No+Pro · 13 Sep 2013, 8:16 pm

mainly a lot of trial an error but f7-11 is a good starting point, start with 10-15 seconds and go from there. i think the above works ok for spinning wool, if you're lighting up a tunnel maybe a bit longer

hando · 13 Sep 2013, 8:40 pm

thanks for info gonna try a few things later tonight see what i get.

Scarecrow · 13 Sep 2013, 9:26 pm

Sit at home in a dark room with your camera on a tripod. In full manual mode set your exposure time (shutter speed) to 10 seconds, your F number (aperture) to 2.8, and your ISO to 200. Wave a torch around and see the results.

This should give you a good basis to go off, and will also start you off on a learning process of using your camera effectively.

Without moving your camera you can then go onto taking the same photo with a different lens.

hando · 13 Sep 2013, 9:30 pm

thanks again guys all your info has been a great help will try some experimenting see what i come up with thanks again

Scarecrow · 13 Sep 2013, 9:31 pm

Then experiment by increasing and decreasing all your settings. You'll start to better understand the hows and whys.

hando · 14 Sep 2013, 1:29 am

thanks again guys did a couple test shots in lunch break seem to work ok thanks for your time and info

dougo · 14 Sep 2013, 8:38 am

If you take a look on YouTube & search for JazArt, he has a How To clip on that steel wool burning thingy.

hando · 14 Sep 2013, 4:56 pm

thanks dougo i will check that out ive seen still shots not a actual vid cheers again

hando · 14 Sep 2013, 6:39 pm

stopped at the servo on the way to work got some led key chains, glow stick and sparklers didnt have the right steel wool just emptied a 40 foot container at work for makeshift dark room so hopefuly i will have something to post soon thanks again for all your time and tips

hando · 14 Sep 2013, 8:44 pm

few test shots in my lunch break

1) nickname with a backwards a( still cant get hang of writing backwards)

2)dodgy orb

another dodgy orb

4)crazy (thought spider was on me)

blue lights are key chain led red lights are sparklers glow sticks didnt show up

timdole · 14 Sep 2013, 9:43 pm

Pro tip for writing words: Face your back to the camera, face your torch towards the camera, write word. 600% easier, just make sure not to point the torch directly at the camera or you'll whitewash everything.

hando · 14 Sep 2013, 10:01 pm

thanks for the tip i was going to write it on paper and then look at from other side but your way sounds easier thanks again

Aydun · 15 Sep 2013, 1:15 am

hando wrote: 4)crazy (thought spider was on me)

lol

Happens to the best of us

hando · 15 Sep 2013, 1:28 am

this container is out the back of my work been there for ages was full of cobwebs could feel something moving on me but was only my necklace moving

Scarecrow · 15 Sep 2013, 2:19 pm

A photo taken by a mate quite a few years ago. He was using film, so didn't know what the other guy wrote until the photos were developed.

hando · 15 Sep 2013, 5:07 pm

hahah thats classic a delayed prank. gonna try a few more shots tonight in my break if i get time

Dynamite · 15 Sep 2013, 5:47 pm

#1 looks absolutely boss man! You've got a talent for this stuff I reckon

hando · 15 Sep 2013, 6:10 pm

thanks dynamite if the a was round the right way it would be better(learned a tip for easier writting so gonna try again tonight) i'd hardly say a talent was only my first attempt and would of had no idea of how to get that far without the input from members here hopefuly i have some better shots tonight

No+Pro · 15 Sep 2013, 8:19 pm

would it be easier to write it as feels normal and flip the pic on your puter? cheating?

hando · 15 Sep 2013, 8:51 pm

No+Pro wrote:would it be easier to write it as feels normal and flip the pic on your puter? cheating?

if i knew how to do that on a computer yeah maybe easier.

hando · 15 Sep 2013, 8:57 pm

some more test shots in lunch break

1)uega

2)stickman

3)nickname

4)failed orb(3/4 of the way round string always catches on my pants gonna try a 180 instead of a 360 next time)

5)random

6)circle in a square

circle in square 2

No+Pro · 15 Sep 2013, 9:29 pm

if you use windows, open pic in Office Picture Manager, go to 'picture' -> 'rotate and flip' then flip it horizontally. simples?
if you use mac..you're on your own.

or, just get better at writing backwards I guess. sounds like hard work to me

dougo · 15 Sep 2013, 9:46 pm

Number 2 Stickman is well endowed!