COMM 160: Exploring Light Painting in Introductory Photography

This technique perfectly blends technical skill with creative expression. Light painting involves creating images by moving light sources during a long camera exposure. This method helps students grasp key photographic concepts like controlling exposure, light behavior, and time as an element.

Some of my previous COMM 160 students have created impressive light paintings that demonstrate both technical understanding and artistic vision. This technique challenges students to think critically about light, time, and composition – skills that are valuable across all types of photography.

Several of my students have used various light sources, including LED hula hoops, fiber optic whips, and even fire for more dramatic effects.

Picasso experimented with light painting in 1949. Inspired by photographer Gjon Mili's work, Picasso used a penlight to draw in the air while Mili captured the images