✨ Painting with Light: A Creative Evening at RVPS
Last night at Ribble Valley Photographic Society, we turned off the lights and let creativity take centre stage. Our latest hands-on session focused on one of the most exciting long-exposure techniques in photography — light painting — and members rose brilliantly to the challenge.
The aim of the evening? To learn and have fun!
What is Light Painting?
Light painting is a long-exposure photography technique where the camera shutter remains open for several seconds (or longer) while a moving light source is used to “draw” within the frame. The camera captures the entire movement as glowing trails, creating images that are impossible to see with the naked eye.
It’s a technique that combines:
- Technical control
- Timing and coordination
- Creative experimentation
- And a lot of teamwork
Turning RVPS into Light
Working together in a darkened hall, members carefully planned out positioning and movement before we began shooting. Using LED light sticks and coloured light tools, we traced each letter of R V P S one at a time.
There were test shots, adjustments, laughter, and refining of technique — which is all part of the process with light painting. Exposure times were tweaked, movements were smoothed out, and colours were layered to build depth and impact.
The final result? A vibrant, energetic image spelling RVPS, glowing against the darkness — a true team effort and a fantastic example of creative collaboration.
🎨 Creative Experiments: Random Light Play & Wire Wool Effects
Beyond lettering, members were encouraged to experiment freely with different light sources and movements to create completely abstract and “random” images.
Using:
- Multicoloured LED batons
- Small torches
- Fibre optic light tools
- Phone lights
- Colour gels
Members created swirls, spirals, orbs, zig-zags, layered patterns and flowing ribbons of colour. Some images were carefully controlled, while others were intentionally spontaneous — producing exciting, unpredictable results.
We also explored wire wool light effects, where glowing sparks create dramatic circular patterns and dynamic bursts of light. The spinning motion produces striking textures that contrast beautifully against a dark background, adding energy and movement to the final images.
As always, this technique was carried out with care and supervision in a controlled environment, with safety precautions in place.
These creative variations showed just how versatile light painting can be — from precise lettering to abstract art and dramatic spark trails.
📷 Camera Settings Used
For members who are keen to try this technique themselves, here’s a breakdown of the typical settings used during the evening:
Camera Mode: Manual (M)
Shutter Speed: 10–30 seconds (depending on complexity of the lettering)
Aperture: f/8 – f/11 (to maintain sharpness and depth of field)
ISO: 100 – 400 (to keep noise low in darker environments)
Focus: Manual focus (pre-focused before lights were turned off)
White Balance: Auto or Tungsten (depending on desired colour tone)
Tripod: Essential for stability
Remote Trigger or Timer: Used to avoid camera shake
We also ensured:
- The room lights were fully switched off
- Participants wore darker clothing to minimise visibility
- Movements were smooth and deliberate to create clean light trails
Each shot required coordination and communication — timing was key to ensuring each letter appeared correctly formed within the frame.
What We Learned
Evenings like this are a great reminder that photography isn’t only about capturing a scene — it’s also about creating one.
Members explored:
- Long exposure control
- Manual focusing in low light
- Managing ambient light
- Movement timing and coordination
- Creative experimentation without fear of “getting it wrong”
Light painting encourages trial and error, and that freedom often produces some of the most exciting results.
Why We Love Creative Nights
At RVPS, we don’t just focus on traditional genres — we enjoy pushing boundaries and exploring techniques that spark imagination and build confidence.
Creative sessions like this:
- Strengthen technical skills
- Encourage teamwork
- Inspire new project ideas
- And most importantly — are great fun
If you’ve ever been curious about light painting but haven’t tried it yet, we highly recommend giving it a go. All you need is a camera with manual settings, a tripod, a dark space, and a light source — the rest is creativity.
We’re already looking forward to the next creative challenge.
Check out the images from the night here.
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