IMPRESSIVE LIGHT PAINTING IDEAS WITH PRISMS
The topic of today’s article is working with prisms in Light Painting photography. Cut prisms made of optical glass are mounted in front of the lens, either directly on the filter thread of the lens or with a holder. The light is refracted by the prism. In this way, a wide variety of light painting effects can be created. Prisms are available in a wide variety of shapes. It is also possible to combine several prisms. There are sometimes a few surprises when working with them. Some effects look completely different than you would expect. But it is precisely this aspect that makes this particular type of light painting so appealing.
What equipment is needed?
In addition to the camera, lens and a sturdy tripod, you need prisms and, if necessary, a mount to attach them in front of the lens. I use either a gooseneck, a Magic Arm, which is attached to the camera’s hot shoe, or a second tripod with a screw clamp. I can screw some of the prisms directly onto the filter thread of the lens. I also printed a holder for the screw prisms on the 3D printer to be able to use them in other positions and at a greater distance from the lens. I can also combine two prisms with the holder.
What to consider when light painting?
As the prisms cause parts of the image to be displayed multiple times, you should not overdo it with light trails or the lighting of the scene and leave space for the additional parts. Otherwise the result could quickly appear completely overloaded. As always, a few test shots help to judge the effect of each prism. Based on this, I then plan the realisation of the light painting image. You should also avoid illuminating the prism directly with a torch. In this case, the prism itself would be very bright in the picture and would most likely ruin any light painting. That said, I use the same torches and tools that I use in my other paintings. The working method and camera settings are also the same. The prisms do not absorb any light. It is therefore not necessary to adjust the aperture and ISO, even if you take some parts of the picture with and others without the prism.
Almost infinite possibilities
As can be seen in the pictures, the prisms can be used for a wide variety of picture ideas. The effect can be varied by changing the position and rotation of the prism. Especially in combination with other techniques such as camera rotation light painting photography, the creative possibilities are almost endless.
Links
Adapter Blitzschuh 1/4 Zoll Gewinde
Schraubklemme mit 1/4 Zoll Gewinde
Gelenkarm inklusive Klemme und Adapter für den Blitzschuh
Prisma 77 mm Filtergewinde Linien
Prisma 77 mm Filtergewinde Kaleidoskop
Prisma 77 mm Filtergewinde Halo
Prisma 77 mm Filtergewinde Vier Flächen
Prisma 77 mm Filtergewinde Acht Flächen
Prisma 77 mm Filtergewinde Penta / Stern
Prisma 77 mm Filtergewinde Drei / Stern
Kaleidoskop Prisma mit Handgriff
Get Fractals Set – Drei Filter mit Handgriff
Sven Gerard, Jahrgang 1969, geboren und aufgewachsen in Berlin. Er fotografiert seit frühester Jugend mit großer Leidenschaft. Neben dem fotografischen Erkunden zahlreicher beeindruckender verlassener Orte, widmet er sich seit mittlerweile 10 Jahren intensiv dem Lightpainting. Sein umfangreiches Wissen teilt er auf seinem Blog „Lichtkunstfoto.de“, weiteren Publikationen und in seinen Workshops. Darüber hinaus organisiert er Veranstaltungen zum Thema Lightpainting, wie „Light Up Berlin“. Gerard lebt gemeinsam mit seiner Lebensgefährtin in Berlin und hat einen erwachsenen Sohn.
Sven Gerard was born in 1969 and grew up in Berlin. He has been a passionate photographer since his early youth. In addition to photographically exploring numerous impressive abandoned places, he has been intensively involved in light painting for 10 years now. He shares his extensive knowledge on his blog ‘Lichtkunstfoto.de’, other publications and in his workshops. He also organises events on the subject of light painting, such as ‘Light Up Berlin’. Gerard lives in Berlin with his partner and has a grown-up son.
