The "After" Light Painting Image

The above image is another form of light painting. Instead of just painting a whole scene with light I isolated sections of this still life and used a small flashlight to highlight detail in several separate images. Then in Photoshop those images were combined into layers and then layers masks were used to isolate each light painted area to best effect into one final image, which is shown above. A little glamour glow and warmth was also added to complete the image.

Another variation using the same files used for the first image but masked differently.

The challenge issued two weeks ago for viewers to create their own light painted landscapes was answered by only one photographer despite several emails from photographers saying they were inspired to get out and create some unique images of their own. Jim Wilson of Chester County, PA should be applauded for his efforts which can be viewed here. Thanks Jim.

Perhaps it was the snow or the idea of light painting in the dark and cold outside that deterred a few. So the next challenge is to create a still life setup inside and light paint it. You can do it in one exposure or by combining several as shown here. Let’s see the still life scenes that you can bring to life through this technique! April 1st I’ll link to everyone’s image that participated by posting a link to their image in the comments to this post.

What the image looked like with just available light from a nearby window.

The light painted image files that were layered and masked to create the final image.

Hopewel Lake Rental Boats At Dusk

If you are like me photographing the same core area can, at times, get old.  One way to find new inspiration is to get creative in new ways with those same scenes or subjects. That was the case for me this past weekend as the desire to photograph locally wasn’t very strong. However I still wanted to photograph. I decided that I’d wait until the end of the day and do some light painting to increase my participation and creative outlay with the photography. Accenting your subjects, as above, with light from a powerful flashlight, or totally painting them with light can give new visual interest to your photographs.

THANK YOU TO THE LAST CHALLENGE PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR IMAGES.- Those that participated in the “Indoor Looking Out” Challenge were- Hank Hewitt, Ed Heaton, Bob Lott, Don McGurrin, Mike Mill, Anita Bower, Gabrielle Mappone, Michelle Billetta, Tim Vollmer, and Jim Wilson (posted on Facebook), and to all the others that participated but didn’t post links within the comments.

So with that said it’s time to issue a new challenge- “Light The Familiar”. Grab your camera, tripod, and flashlights and go light paint a location familiar to you, inside or out, and create an image that you wouldn’t have otherwise.  Post your image links in the comments of this post for everyone to see and two Monday’s from now I’ll post links to everyone’s images in a new post and issue a new challenge. Please spread the word about the challenge as you post your images.

Looking out at the storm...

Issuing a challenge-

If you are a photographer and reader of this blog I challenge you to photograph something out of, or from, one of your house windows today. I’ve done it plenty in the past and I’m still finding different ways to capture images. Only rule is that you have to stay within the inside boundaries of your home. If you meet the challenge and photograph and post something leave a link in the comments for us all to enjoy.

What can I say? Finding something to photograph from the comfort of my home in inclement weather still holds a challenge for me that I can’t ignore yet.  At least I feel like I photographed something during this snowstorm while waiting for conditions to improve for travel.

The conditions around us change every day even if where we live doesn’t. I find that when you force yourself to see images in your everyday surroundings it helps you to see images better in places that are visually new to you much easier.

Here are a few photos taken from inside my place posted on the old blog format- here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.  And of course a few more I posted within the last few days.

Be safe and have fun today whether you are weathered in or some place more tropical!