Light Paintings
Light Paintings are a unique and highly complex photographic art created by using special LED lights to make a series of images of a subject. Light paintings combine dozens and at times hundreds of separate images, each lighting a small part of the subject. The resulting exposures are blended into a single photograph that highlights the subject in a way not possible through any other photography style or technique. A light painted image makes a stunning piece of art that will be appreciated for generations.
How much does it cost to commission a light painting?
Every light painting is different. Therefore, the time and expense needed to complete the process is determined by the complexity of the project. Simple in-studio projects start at $500, while on-location photo shoots that require travel, scouting and preplanning will be more. The light painting fee is independent of any printed images you order.
How long does the photo session take?
Indoor locations– work can be completed during normal business hours, provided that the location can be rendered totally dark inside.
Outdoor locations– the team will typically arrive around dusk to position the vehicle or aircraft. Preliminary photographs will be taken before darkness sets in. The actual light painting begins once complete darkness has set it.
Duration– Once it is totally dark, most light paintings can be completed in 2-3 hours, depending on the subject, weather and the location.
What steps are involved?
Light painting sessions include a pre-shoot consultation, the session, creating the painting and your image premiere.
The Consultation – Light paintings require significant pre-planning and preparation by the photography team. At your consultation we will discussthe location for the photograph, scheduling, and other essential items. When your session day arrives, we’ll have a plan in place, so everything goes smoothly and there are no surprises.
It is ideal to have the consultation at the location where the light painting will be created. If the location has not been selected, the consultation can also be used to inspect possible locations in order to select the ideal site.
During the consultation we will want to see what we will be light painting. If it is a vehicle or aircraft, it does not have to be clean and “camera-ready” at this meeting. During our meeting we can discuss your preferred view of the vehicle/aircraft and any unique features you might want us to know about.
If there are any “access or security” issues, these should be discussed and resolved at the consultation. Afterwards, the photo shoot is scheduled.
Prior to the session – Important: Please be sure that permission to access the location is granted. Airports and public places, in particular, often require written permission. It is the client’s obligation to pre-arrange any access to private property.
Please be sure to advise neighbors (or anyone who might be suspicious of our late-night activities) what is going on. We will do our best to keep noise to a minimum.
Be sure the “subject” is washed, waxed and looking its best before the shoot begins.
At some point during the light painting session, we will want to turn on the lights of the vehicle/aircraft. Please be sure that someone qualified to operate the lights is present for our session.
The Session – Once the subject is in place, we take a few test photographs…and then we wait for darkness. Depending on the time of year, this waiting period may be 60-90 minutes. You are free to leave during this time.
You are welcome to invite friends, family or interested parties to observe. Please be sure they dress warmly and bring a folding chair to sit on. Well stocked coolers are popular additions! No lights are allowed as they would contaminate our photographs.
Creating the light painting – Creating a Light Painting is a complex and time-consuming process requiring a very high degree of photographic expertise and computer skill. The process involves a photography session followed by many hours of post-production computer work.
The light painting photography session involves the meticulous exposure of countless individual elements. Typically, hundreds of unique individual photographs are exposed.
After the photographs are completed, the post-production process begins. Here we carefully select the photographs and carefully assemble them into a one of a kind work of art. This process takes several days.
The Premier – When the Light Painting is complete we will invite you to the studio for the “premier”. Once approved, you will place an order for the size(s) you wish us to reproduce. Light paintings are printed on either metal or acrylic surfaces. These options have the highest degree of impact and provide the most brilliant reproductions.
Order Production and Delivery – All light painting orders include free local delivery and installation. Please allow 2 weeks for your preview print to be completed. Once you have approved your preview print and your final print(s) are ordered, you can generally expect delivery within 2-3 weeks.