Light Painting

[Barbara Ponder]

Attended a workshop where we played with burning steel wool. Loved the effect but not sure how it could be used other than as an abstract work.........

[rpcrowe]

My photo club has also had outdoor (of course outdoor - we're not crazy) shoots with burning steel wool.

However, like Barbara, I couldn't see any reason for shooting this except to play with abstracts.

I have never attended one of these shoots!

[Shadowman]

Nicely done.

[Saorsa]

They are good as the basis for abstracts. I like pictures like that to play with bumpmaps. Here is what I pulled from that one.

The first is the whole image which I inadvertently inverted.

[Barbara Ponder]

Richard it was interesting and the process itself was fun. I am always up to try something new. I did like the effects we got with using other methods which produced a nice colorful pattern.

[Barbara Ponder]

Thanks John!

[Barbara Ponder]

Brain, those are cool! I like #2 looks like an ice sculpture.

[IzzieK]

I am still laughing, Barbara...his name is Brian, not Brain. That's cute...

Anyway, I kinda like the coloured version too. Can you tell me how that was done? I am wondering only. I cannot do it and will not be able to but it is nice to know...thanks.

[Barbara Ponder]

I knew I was trying to do too many things at once Sorry Brian although I am sure you are a Brain as well

Izzie, it has to be dark with no light pollution or as little as possible. The gold is steel wool attached to a spatula attached to a steel cable. The steel wool is set on fire and then the person holding it swings it around in a pattern. The one with the colors is done again with no light and using twinkling electronic light wands with an off flash being flashed as the person holding the wands moves with the lights making a pattern. All done with camera on tripod. I am sure I did not explain that very well but I think you will get it. It was a fun workshop.

[IzzieK]

You explanation is enough. I've just finished taking a class on Your First Flash sort of thingie so I understand your explanation on how that works. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond.