First attempt @ painting with light

[ridley19]

Hi all, first time in the forum and first time attempting "painting with light" technique.
I used a pen torch to paint light on the car, and was shot in virtual darkness. I was quite happy with it, but not sure if the angle is optimal. I'm keen to get feedback on this to see if others think i am on the right path. Let me know your thoughts.

EXIF details:
- Canon 400D w/EF-S 15-85mm (shot @ 18mm f/10)
- Manual exposure @ 60secs
- ISO 200
- Tripod mounted ~15cm off the ground

[Weird Girl]

I think this looks awesome! Not sure why no one has commented yet but I personally love the colors and the sky with it. Can you explain more on how you did this as I am not yet familiar with painting with light like this.

[ridley19]

Thanks for your critique Weird Girl.
I only posted this yesterday so wasn't expecting immediate replies. I've been keen to get some critique on this mainly on the composition aspect of it.

Basically i parked the car at the edge of the water and then set my tripod up as close as i could @ 18mm where the car would fill the frame. I set the camera to Manual mode (shutter speed = bulb). I then opened the shutter via remote trigger and used a pen torch (which faced the camera on ~45 degree angle so the sensor could pick it up and to also try avoid glare) and ran the torch over the lines that you see in the final image. I then closed the shutter via remote trigger.
The key - i found - is to ensure that you don't stand in one spot too long while passing the torch over the car, otherwise you will show up in the final image. Also the closer the torch is to the car the finer and more intense the lines of light will be. Conversely, further away will produce a broader beam that can act like a spotlight on the car.
I experimented with numerous angles, torches, shutter speeds (ie how long it took me to move the torch over the car and then close the shutter), ISO's, apertures. And i ended up with this as the final image. There were some shockers of them but ~5 other shots i thought worked. This one however, was my favourite. All up it was a few hours and only came back home cause batteries went flat and it was cold. :-)
Maybe i could post my other images from the night in the "Share your Shots" forum.

[RichardTaylor]

Not a critique:
I think it is great (and I havn't done any light painting).

[Weird Girl]

Soo cool! I definitely want to try this now! Thanks for the explanation! Do you have any from the front of the car?

[ccting]

Ok, copy your picture and your settings in my book..

[ridley19]

You can see the others in the SYS section here..
Audi @ night using Painting w/Light technique