An Electric Lizard

[Murtasma]

These images were the result of my curiosity in photographing glow in the dark objects. Here is how I took each picture. I don't know which one I like best esp the ones with the light bulb in them. These were all taken inside a light box with a black back drop. You can probably get away shooting something like this in a totally dark room on a long table with some cloth on the bottom to help difuse reflections.


1st Image
Exposure: 38 sec (38)
Aperture: f/8
Focal Length: 41 mm
ISO: 400

This one was the hardest to take. I composed my scene how I wanted with a light turned on to energize the beads the lizard was made out of. Once eveything was focused and I had my F-Stop set I switched my camera to bulb mode. I have one of those blue LED lights you can put on your keychain. Next I turned off the light and looked through the view finder I tried to position the blue LED as close as possible to the light bulb with out being able to make out my hand or have the light be to bright. I had the light source at the back of the light bulb. Once I had the light where I wanted I opened the shutter up, I kept the LED on for about 2 seconds. Then I used my laser pointer to draw a quick line over the back of the lizard which took about 1 second. I then let the camera sit the rest of the time to soak up the glow from the lizard.


2nd Image
Exposure: 42 sec (42)
Aperture: f/8
Focal Length: 41 mm
ISO Speed: 400

This one was shot much the same way as the first however I did not use the blue LED light this time. I decided to use the laser point to make the light bulb glow, I held the laser pointer near the head of the lizard for 3 seconds you can see the rays from the laser pointer in the larger view which I think is pretty cool. The lines in the 2nd image surround the lizard are actually glow in the dark string used to make spider webs which I am working on next.

3rd Image
Exposure: 24 sec (24)
Aperture: f/8
Focal Length: 37 mm
ISO Speed: 400

This one was taken with just he lizard alone. I used a laser pointer to draw a quick line down the back of the lizard then I held the laser pointer for about 1/2 a seond on each of the feet in the middle. Once in photoshop I inverted the colors. I like this one becuase the lizard kind of looks transparent in this image.

[YoAshnish]

That is pretty neat!!! I was just wondering about photographing glow in the dark items myself!

[Murtasma]

The beads I had did not glow that much also they fade fast. I was not able to really capture a glow around the bead I think you would have to do some clever photoshop with a glow effect to make it really look like it's radiating light.

[purplepixie]

I like the 2nd image - interesting experimentation.