Sunnyside Sunflower - Light painting

These flower photographs were created by “painting with light”.

Light painting, or light drawing, is a photographic technique in which exposures are made by moving a small flashlight while taking a long exposure photograph of the flower (about 45 seconds) in a dark room.

The flowers are lit from many different angles (even with the light shining thru the petals from behind). The images have more shadow detail and texture than a photograph made using a single fixed light source.

Flowers are already beautiful subjects to photograph, but light painting them can take their beauty to a whole new level. By using a flashlight to selectively illuminate different parts of the flower, you can create a dreamy and ethereal effect.

How to Light Paint Flowers with a Flashlight

  1. Choose the Right Flower: Select a flower with interesting shapes and textures that will look stunning when illuminated with a flashlight.

  2. Set Up Your Camera: Use a tripod to keep your camera steady during the long exposure. Set your camera to manual mode and choose a low ISO and small aperture to capture the details of the flower.

  3. Find a Dark Location: Light painting works best in a dark environment to control the light and create a dramatic effect.

  4. Paint with Light: Turn off all other light sources and use a flashlight to selectively illuminate different parts of the flower during a long exposure. Experiment with different angles and movements to create unique light patterns.

  5. Review and Edit: Once you've captured your light painting photos, review them and make any necessary

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Midnight Sun Glow on Denali - Alaska

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Flight of the Monarchs