LightPainting
Participants explore the possibilities of light, photography and movement through the creation of luminous drawings during a prolonged photographic exposure. Using torches and lights, they express themselves freely with their bodies in a dark room. The images captured reflect all kinds of shapes made by the participant’s movements. This method is ideal to encourage bodily and artistic expression, collaboration and basic use of technology.
THEME
Light in Motion: Expressions of the Invisible
COMPLEXITY
Medium (basic knowledge of photography required)
GROUP SIZE
5- 10
participants
AGE
13+
TIME
60 to 90
minutes
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Introduction and delegation of functions if necessary (10 min.)
- Introduce the activity: “Imagine that light is an extension of yourself, which you can shape and direct through your movements. How does an emotion feel when it becomes a line of light? Today, we will explore the power of light to embody what we cannot see, but what we feel. Through your movements, emotions will be transformed into ephemeral, unique and energetic drawings.”
- Technical setup (10 min.)
- Set up the camera
- Place it on a tripod or stable surface and frame the scene well.
- Adjust the focus
- Focus on an object at the same distance where you will be painting and switch to manual focus mode.
- Use the Bacon Camera or Camera FV5 app if you have Android to set your mobile phone camera to manual mode. If you have an IOS phone we recommend LightRoom Mobile, Camera+.
- Set the parameters:
- Manual mode
- Close aperture (f/8 or f/11)
- Low ISO (100-200) or medium (640-1000 if you want the surroundings to show)
- Shutter speed: Bulb mode if possible, or set the estimated time
- Prepare the space (10 min.)
- Darken the room completely and eliminate any external light sources.
- Paint with light (30 min.)
- Open the shutter, paint with your chosen light source (torches, LEDs, laser pointers, LED rings, glow sticks, mobile phone screen), and close it when finished.
- Check and adjust
- If too dark: raise the ISO or paint slower
- If too bright: lower the ISO, use higher f or paint faster
- Final reflection (10 min.)
- Look at the images together and share impressions.
Debriefing and Evaluation:
- What surprised you about the result?
- How did it feel to express yourself without words, only with light?
- What difficulties did you encounter?
- What would you do differently next time?
Tips for Facilitators:
- Give a short demonstration before starting.
- Divide roles if the group is large: painters, photographers, assistants.
- Make sure you have several lights and different colours to experiment with.
- Don’t look for perfection, but for free expression.
- Be careful with that, as well as with any potential ‘pilot’ lights in the room (e.g., from a TV, remote controls, or dimmable switches). In these cases, it’s best to cover them up, as they could interfere with taking photographs.
Disclaimer:
If any participant experiences anxiety or discomfort in the dark, it is recommended to provide an option to exit or a minimal light source, ensuring the experience remains accessible and respectful for everyone.
Visual arts activities
MODULE 1 NEEDS ANALYSIS
Needs analysis activities
MODULE 2 MUSIC AND MOVEMENT
Contact
Iuliana Adriana PAVEL (project manager)
iuliana.pavel@a4action.ro
A4ACTION – Antim Ivireanu Culture House, Islaz Alley, Ghermănești, Snagov, Ilfov District, Romania, 077170
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the ANPCDEFP. Neither the European Union nor the ANPCDEFP can be held responsible for them.
The project is conducted by the following organisations: A4ACTION (Romania) – coordinator, Udruga Delta (Croatia), InterAktion (Austria), Asociación Espacio Rojo (Spain) and GAIA Museum Outsider Art (Denmark).