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  2. Light Painting

Introduction to Light Painting

Darren Pearson
FREELessons: 18Length: 1.5 hours
Light PaintingShootingExposureArt PhotographyLong ExposureFocusCompositionPost-ProcessingElectroluminescent WireGel
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2.1 Auto Focus in the Dark

Have you ever tried to focus your camera in the dark? At first glance, it may seem simple, but you'll soon find this isn't always an easy task. In this lesson, you'll learn all about achieving a clear focus in the dark, using an auto-focus camera, a tripod, and a light source.

1.Getting Started
4 lessons, 11:45

1.1
Introduction
00:52

1.2
Necessities
02:48

1.3
Finding a Spot
04:49

1.4
Brainstorming Ideas
03:16

2.Getting Focused
3 lessons, 11:12

2.1
Auto Focus in the Dark
04:39

2.2
Manual Focus in the Dark
03:08

2.3
Frame Composition and Test Exposures
03:25

3.Camera Settings
2 lessons, 10:52

3.1
Assessing Ambient Light
06:34

3.2
Bulb Mode vs. Manual Mode
04:18

4.Light Painting
6 lessons, 32:06

4.1
History and Techniques
09:01

4.2
Drawing Simple Shapes
03:44

4.3
Spatial Templates
04:11

4.4
Tools and Results
04:04

4.5
El Wire, Gels, Orbs, and More
05:52

4.6
Light Writing
05:14

5.Putting It All Together
3 lessons, 22:49

5.1
Light Painting on Location
12:01

5.2
Post-Processing
06:59

5.3
Conclusion
03:49

Darren Pearson
Darren Pearson
Darren Pearson is a resident of Los Angeles, where he works as an illustrator by day. By night, he explores the varying landscapes of California in search of the perfect scene for one of his life-sized light-sculptures. These light-sculptures are created through long exposure photography (the same technique commonly used to write a name with a sparkler or capture car trails at night). Pearson makes complex light-effect photographs, none of which are photoshopped.
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