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How to Paint With Light & Steel Wool

Painting with light and steel wool is a way of capturing a dazzling light effect by camera for a photograph. This method relies on photographing a moving light source that is emitting sparks using a slow shutter speed. Because this method uses burning materials and sparks in movement, this method is best suited to professionals and great care should be taken to have the proper safety measures in place, including a non-flammable environment, protective gear and fire extinguishers.

Things You'll Need

Zero-grade steel wool
Wire wisk
Cable, 2 or 3 feet long
LED or flashlight
Lighter

Instructions

- 1
  Make sure it is dark outside. This effect won't work during the day.
- 2
  Unfurl the steel wool so that it has an overall fluffy texture. Push the steel wool into the bulb end of the whisk by sliding it through the slots.
- 3
  Attach the cable to the handle of the whisk. The whisk should hang freely allowing you to swing it around while holding the other end of the cable.
- 4
  Put your camera on manual mode, with shutter speed at about 30 seconds, aperture at F8, ISO 200 and white balance set to tungsten. You can experiment with other settings to achieve your desired effect.
- 5
  Place the LED or flashlight on the ground to act as a focal point for the camera. Set the camera on manual focus and focus on the light.
- 6
  Set the camera timer to give you time to get back to the LED and light the wool. Once the wool is lit, begin swinging it in a circle using the cable as a leash.
- 7
  Make sure the wool and all sparks are completely out when you are finished with the shot.

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