By: Jake Leddy ‘19

Materials Needed:

1. A String of lights(LEDS, Christmas lights, etc.)

2. A subject and a musical instrument

3. Tripod and some sort of light source(preferably a flash) 

Process:

1. Set up in a dark area (studio/darkroom) with a neutral background(the darker the better)

2. Tape the lights around the instrument you plan to photograph (the lights will conceal the tape)

3. Set up your flash at your desired angle (I feel that slightly off is best)

4. Set up your camera on your tripod facing your subject (the tripod enables you to get a clear shot of your subject when you use your flash)

Camera Settings:

(These can vary from room to room because of the colors and amount of light in the room

Manual Settings work the best since you are trying to manipulate the light in the room

1. 100 ISO(or lowest you can go) →  allows you to have more manipulation when it comes to shutter speed and aperture

2. 10-15 second shutter speed(allows more light painting, but also prevents from too much light getting into the photo)

3. Move the aperture until your light spectrum is between -1 and -2 (tends to have the right amount of light to show your subject, but still be dark enough for the lights to stand out

Common Mistakes:

• Having a white background will create too much light in the photo

  • The white background will take on the color of the lights

• Having the flash too high will distract from the colors of the photo

  • It will also show a lot of graininess of the photo

• Moving the light too much in the photo

  • Won’t show the face of the person or the instrument

• Having the exposure too high

  • Light won’t stand out and your person will be illuminated too much

Just Take Photos and Fix Later!

• It is easiest to just guess and check for all of your settings

  • Every couple photos try and change what settings you are using

• Try everything!

  • Try different movements, different flashes, times, lights, etc.

• Fix photos in Photoshop and Lightroom later since none of these photos will come out perfect