Painting with Movement

by fstop fitzgerald

Posted: February 4, 2011

Frequently, we photographers are challenged by a variety of needs.  One of the most difficult to deal with is the lack of light.  As light is our key tool, what can we do to be creative and still impart an impression or information of our image?  One creative solution is called painting with light.  With this advanced technique, we see how an impressionistic image of the forest or a dazzling series of light movements within the frame of a cityscape can lead to wonderful imagery.

Layne stops down with the aperture to allow for a corresponding use of a slow shutter speed.  This slow shutter speed—usually imparting camera motion, which we want to avoid—is instead used to move the camera intentionally.  This induced camera movement allows us to witness the eerie forest or glitzy city.  Were the trees growing while that image was made? Notice the lights in the cityscape, follow their shapes, and guess what kind of camera movement was used.

Follow the light…f-stop fitzgerald