Light Painting Recommendations

[Eldog]

Hello,

I am looking at experimenting with some night time automotive photography. I have a tripod, camera etc, but need to find myself a half decent lighsource that won't cost an arm and a leg.

Is anyone into lightpainting cars, and if so what light source do you use?

[eltawater]

Try the LED light on your phone in torch mode!

A remote trigger which you can hold down the release in bulb mode will also be very handy.

[Dogsey]

I've had some pretty good results using the Yungnuo 360 mk1, currently about £68 on Amazon.

[Whoozit]

Dogsey said:

I've had some pretty good results using the Yungnuo 360 mk1, currently about £68 on Amazon.

Just bought one for trying out some moody portraits. It's bloody bright on full power but it adjustable with 4 or 5 levels to suit. No, it's not an Ice Light in quality, but for the price is worth trying out.

[Dogsey]

Whoozit said:

Just bought one for trying out some moody portraits. It's bloody bright on full power but it adjustable with 4 or 5 levels to suit. No, it's not an Ice Light in quality, but for the price is worth trying out.

I bought it specifically for light painting and it's great for my usage, I did originally think it might be a stepping stone to an Ice Light but so far I haven't needed anything more. I've lit cars with it and found it good (particularly after I made a hood for it to control the light direction) but generally I use it for adding colour into a scene, for which it's brilliant. The quality of the white light might not be perfect, but it's so tuneable I find it a very useful tool.

The car shot below is entirely lit with the Yungnao. Not perfect, but that's more down to it being only the second car I'd used it on.


BMW M3 F80 05 by Mike Gardiner, on Flickr

The white and green light in the next two shots was added with it.


Exploding Halo by Mike Gardiner, on Flickr


Portal Factory by Mike Gardiner, on Flickr

[pidsy]

There are a wealth of specialist light painting tools out there.

Much cheaper to make your own - use torches, kids light up toys, battery powered fairy lights, coloured plastic and loads of tape.

Tripod, shutter release and practice.

PHer Kman took this pic of my car:



Pic was taken in a blacked out theatre so no external light. Multiple exposures then edited.

I don’t do cars. I’ve got a pixel stick.