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How to Set Up a Camera for Light Photography with a Flashlight

Light graffiti or painting with light is the technique where you place a camera on tripod, open the shutter for an extended period of time in a very dark or pitch black setting and use a flashlight to write words or add light to elements in the scene. One of the most critical aspects of this type of photography is knowing where to place your camera and the settings for camera to achieve the best results.

Things You'll Need

Tripod
Tape

Instructions

- 1
  Attach your camera to a tripod and position the tripod either in a room you will use or outside where you will be shooting when the sun goes down. Do this during the day or when the lights are on to make it easier to set the camera up correctly.
- 2
  Attach a wide angle lens to your camera or set the lens to its widest focal length. Look through the lens and with two strips of tape mark the left and right boundaries of the viewfinder. This will help you know where to work within when you take the picture.
- 3
  Set the camera̵7;s exposure mode to ̶0;Aperture priority̶1; and set the lens aperture to its smallest setting. This is represented by the largest number available. A small aperture will give you an increased depth of field, ensuring the image you create will be in focus.
- 4
  Press the ISO button and set the ISO to its lowest setting. Setting the ISO to a low setting and closing the aperture to its smallest point will result in a long shutter delay, giving you the time to write the words or illuminate the scene with the flashlight.

Photography