
The first thing you learn about photography is how it is all about the light. A good photograph starts with good light. Well, in this tutorial I wanted to encourage everyone to go one step beyond and start getting creative and try new things with light. In this tutorial, we’ll walk you though “light writing” and give you tips and tricks for getting it right in camera.
The picture you see above is not Photoshopped at all, in fact, what you see is straight from the camera. I was shooting a Jewish wedding in Pasadena, CA at the Langham Hotel when this concept hit me. I wanted a creative way to say congratulations or “mazeltov” to the couple when I saw this beautiful night time shot of the hotel. I noticed that right in front of the hotel in between the stairs was a very dark area of bushes which I thought would be perfect to try out some light writing.
In the end, it took me about 4 attempts to get the writing to look decent, but the picture above was the final shot. Here is a step by step tutorial on how it was created.
Setup and Gear for Light Writing
- Camera: Canon 40D
- Lens: 17-40mm f/4L
- Camera Mount: SLIK 615-315 Professional Photo/video Tripod
- Light: Brinkmann Maxfire Dual Xenon Spotlight
- Clothing: All black
Step by Step Instructions for Light Writing
1. Compose – Setup the camera on the tripod and appropriate frame the composition
2. Exposure – Dial in your proper exposure using a 10-30 second long exposure (aka shutter drag). Always use manual for this time of shot). Remember, for a night time scene to come out looking like night time, you need to make sure you are underexposing by 1 or more full stops. This shot was under exposed by 1.25 full stops.
3. Triggering – If you have a wireless trigger, it will make things easier, but if not no worries. Set the camera to a 10 second timer, press the button and start running! Stupidly, I didn’t bring my wireless trigger on this job, so I ended up doing 70 yard sprints to get into position every time I pressed the shutter button. Otherwise, just get into position, and use your wireless trigger.
4. Writing – Once you are in position and the shutter opens, begin writing by pointing the light gun straight into the camera lens. Since you are going to be in front of the camera for so long, it is important you wear black in order to not be picked up by the camera.
5. Writing tips – Eventually you will develop your own style for writing, but here is what I like to do. The key to writing consistent legible letters is your point of reference. For me, I like to use my arm length for the height of the letters. The highest my arm can reach is the top of each letter, while the lowest is the bottom. Also, use a point of reference for each letter spacing. I like to use 1 sideways step as my letter spacing. I also prefer writing backwards from right to left when facing the camera lens. So, for example I would start on the right side, draw the ‘M’ in “Mazel Tov” backwards using the top and bottom of my arm reach for the letter height and then after completing the letter, I would take a decent size step to my left and start again.
6. Try try again – You may need several attempts to get this process down. Remember, you only have 30 seconds to do all your writing. So I would recommend you practice this in a controlled setting before you start busting it out on the job.
Other Ideas and Comments
This is just one way of being creative with light, if you have ideas, share them below with the rest of us!
Pye Jirsa
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Nice tip on writing… Ive seen Dennis Smiths light balls and they are amaze-balls… His back story pretty amazing too. Have a great day.
Great article Pye! I got a question regarding the gun light “Brinkmann Maxfire Dual Xenon Spotlight”
Would you recommend for use in weddings? I was at the WPPI checking out the gunlight booth, Brian showed me his creation. Just amazing! I see that you use their gun for this picture also http://thegunlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/105.jpg But compare to the one you use “xenon spotlight”. Are they totally different ? Did you use that right on the couple or use it as light painting in that picture.
John and Brian’s GunLight is really in a class of its own. However, it isn’t quite yet ready for consumer sale as of yet. We are still waiting for a final word on the street date. However, in the meanwhile, the Brinkmanns are a great temporary solution (for pretty much anything, engagement, wedding, etc). Expect that the GunLight will be quite expensive though, we are hearing that it is going to street for around $500ish, but that is an old rumor, so who knows.
Quite expensive compare to the other one :-)
What about those LED lights that can mount on the tripod / Camera. Can that use it as gun light ? I am new to this Pye, just trying to get it right.
Yeah, they all have different strengths and weaknesses. Since the Brinkmann is not a “photography” light, it requires modification to get a smooth light effect. LED lights provide good soft light, but the spread is wide so the throw is very short. The GunLight is sort of the master of all things, beautiful soft light, adjustable power, and an adjustable zoom/throw. But, the downside being the price as it is the most expensive. I would personally start with an LED or with a Brinkmann, learn how to use it, then you can decide if it fits your style and whether you want to work up to the official Gun Light.
“A good photograph starts with good light.” This statement seems to start from the premise that you can’t take a good photograph in bad light. I love bad light that’s where modern DSLR’s come into their own. Leave your tripod at home and have some fun.
Robert, keep in mind there is a big difference between bad light and low light. Bad light, requires light modifiers because it isn’t satisfactory for the subject you are shooting. Low light can be great light, but you do need a high ISO capable body, tripod, or possibly even both to shoot it.
In looking at your portfolio, which is quite awesome by the way, all of your shots feature great lighting in respect to the subject of the photo (be it a landscape, portrait, etc).
I think that is the point of the statement “a great photograph starts with great light.”
What a wonderful article! It’s very helpful for every photographer.
Congratulations,
@ Robert.. a good photograph is *only* a good photograph because of the light.
– paul
Haha, Robert, I hope you are joking =). If not, I think you may be the only photographer that thinks that way as light is pretty much the key ingredient to every photo.
So, do I! Hahahahaha
Light is simply everything in Photography
A good photograph does not need good light.
nice article!
I would use reversed ND filter to get the perfect exposure because the top of the building is IMHO to dark :/