The ups and downs of holding a Lightpainting Workshop
Last night I held a lightpainting workshop for a camera club in Frodsham, Cheshire in England. I've done lightpainting workshops before but not for a few years. The reason I don't tend to do workshops anymore is I find them a little frustrating. Let me explain.
The delegates attending a lightpainting workshop usually haven't tried lightpainting before. So that means I have to start from scratch with the basics. That includes stuff like focussing in the dark and camera settings. It always amazes me, and it probably shouldn't, that someone with an expensive Sony A9 and even more expensive lenses should have a grasp of the basics of photography. I've done LP workshops where I've spent most of an evening reminding the attendees how to focus or operate their camera!!
Last night was slightly different. The camera club members had all the usual more expensive than mine cameras and lenses but most of them knew how to use their cameras. Thank goodness!!
I started off by showing the crowd (there was approx. 20 people) all of the tools I had including light blades, fibre optic brushes, EL-wire and home made LED gadgets. I don't normally turn out at night with that much gear but I knew I had to bring enough so everyone could have a go at waving lights in the dark.
It's not easy shepherding a bunch of strangers but eventually I got them all huddled in little groups in different corners of the cave system. I wandered between each group and helped as best I could.
I didn't shoot many of my own lightpainting images due to being so busy for 4 hours or more but this is what I got. I'd like to see some of the results on others' cameras where I've done the lightpainting but I have to settle for what I got for now:
Fractalise
It was a night of firsts for the delegates. They had never seen anyone use a fractal filter before. I always find it surprising that not everyone knows this stuff.
They called it a Masterclass
I was so busy running around banging my head in the dark helping others, waving net curtains and light blades, I only bagged a couple of quick demo shots at the end. I think I may have left them confused demonstrating how to do this. The people watching had never seen anyone pan a camera like this:
The Caves
The location we held the workshop in was epic. I was asked not to reveal the location because it was technically on private land but I got the nod it would be OK to return here in the dark.
This is the entrance to the cave:
I'm never going to win awards for snapping this with my phone. This is from the entrance to the cave looking in:
The cave system was so big I couldn't fit in the frame so shot a pano instead:
After last night, I think I may start doing workshops again. Maybe to photographers with some more than basic knowledge of their cameras. Trying to explain lightpainting to someone who doesn't have much of an idea how to use their camera isn't nearly as much fun as one would imagine.
And finally this morning I received an email of thanks. I'm not normally one to blow my own trumpet but it's nice to know the 170 mile drive was worth it!
About me:
I usually specialise in shooting lightpainting images but occasionally dabble in urbex and artistic model photography. I'm always on the lookout for someone to collaborate with; please don't hesitate to get in touch if you'd like to create art.
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Lightpainting is a photographic technique in which exposures are made by moving a hand-held light source while taking a long exposure photograph, either to illuminate a subject or to shine a point of light directly at the camera, or by moving the camera itself during exposure. Nothing is added or removed in post processing.
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Well done buddy. Sounds like you did a great job and brought light into some people's lives. Great couple of shots to take away with you also. Happy days.
Thanks pal, if I were in other company these would have been much different. I kept thinking while I was demonstrating this I'd have lights in different places and smoke would have helped. It was good though to get back to basics with a bit of light waving, the result of which are on others' cameras. I'll be back here that's for sure :-)
You may have onky bagged a couple of demo shots but they be pretty feccin good! Nice work with he workshop also
Cheers pal, it's easy to forget what I find easy and basic is probably amazing to others. Like waving a pair of net curtains to simulate fire, the reaction I got by the attendees was nice but to me it was "been there, done that" 😂
Lol you make it sound so glamorous lol net curtains
@scubahead Net curtains waved furiously in the dark with one hand while the other shines a torch at the curtains makes a great effect. And also helps if you’re a cheapskate lightpainter like me! 🔥🔥😂
Making me chuckle 🤭 hehe. I am picturing it all in my mind. Comedy mind painter
Thnks for sharing! I friend and I have discussed doing a workshop and have been looking for pros and cons etc.
This is very helpful and great shots as well!
Glad it helped! Just be prepared to be flexible and roll with the punches. All the workshops I've done have been different in unexpected ways but the common theme has been people not being completely aware how to use their cameras. And the biggest theme was focussing in the dark...
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Wow! What an awesome location for light painting! I had a go at doing this once at college on a photography course, but we used a drama stage that was blacked out. Using a cave is super creative and I bet there was a brilliant atmosphere too!
Thanks @beautifulbullies I'm keen to go back again that's for sure. Maybe without having to hold a workshop for 20 people! 😂