Sphere of the dark
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine|February 2023
Mike Harris shows you how to add multiple orbs of light to your images with this light-painting technique
Mike Harris
Sphere of the dark

Light orbs are about as close as you can get to performing a photographic magic trick and, in this project, we’re going to step behind the curtain and show you how it’s done. You might assume light orb photography involves plenty of trickery in Adobe Photoshop but, in reality, it’s a light-painting technique that can be performed and captured entirely in-camera.

The basic technique involves attaching a piece of string to a torch and spinning it around in a circular loop, while carefully moving from side to side to create a 3D orb. While you might assume that you need all manner of specialist kit to complete this project, you really only need a tripod and a torch to create these mesmerizing balls of light that will surely leave your friends and family guessing.

As with any low-light project, we recommend working alongside a friend as a safety precaution after dark, but the technique is also much easier with two people working together – one can operate the camera while the other creates the orbs. If you’re working on your own in your back garden, you can, of course, capture light orbs alone using a 10-sec self-timer. This will allow you just enough time to get into position and start swinging before the shutter fires, although this is far less fun!

Once you’ve got the hang of this light-painting technique, you’ll be able to paint multiple orbs around your scene by capturing a sequence of images and blending them together in post-production.

Light orb setup

ALL OF THE CAMERA KIT YOU NEED TO CREATE AND CAPTURE GLORIOUS ORBS OF LIGHT ON LOCATION 

1 Sturdy tripod

Esta historia es de la edición February 2023 de N-Photo: the Nikon magazine.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición February 2023 de N-Photo: the Nikon magazine.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE N-PHOTO: THE NIKON MAGAZINEVer todo
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD G2
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD G2

The original version broke the mould for ‘trinity' standard zooms. The G2 enhances handling and performance further still

time-read
2 minutos  |
Summer 2024
Nikon D500
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Nikon D500

Nikon's flagship DX-format DSLR is a modern classic. And while it hasn't been out of production for long, it left a hole in Nikon's camera line-up that's never been filled

time-read
1 min  |
Summer 2024
Laurence Griffiths
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Laurence Griffiths

With so much sporting action this summer, Laurence Griffiths of Getty Images reveals how to catch every goal at the Euros, details Getty Images' 24/7 Olympics coverage and why he always has a wide-angle ready. Keith Wilson managed to grab him before kick-off...

time-read
10 minutos  |
Summer 2024
Ghost town
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Ghost town

Adam Waring uses ND filters to subdue the hustle and bustle when shooting busy cities

time-read
2 minutos  |
Summer 2024
Creative cities
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Creative cities

Experienced travel photographer Matt Higgs provides top tips for stunning shots of city sights

time-read
2 minutos  |
Summer 2024
If at first you don't succeed...
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

If at first you don't succeed...

Tom travels to the other side of the world to have another go at shooting an elusive image and displays the power of his perseverance

time-read
3 minutos  |
Summer 2024
Shoot the summer of sports
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Shoot the summer of sports

Have the Olympics and Euros inspired you to photograph sport? Mike Harris shows you how to score a portfolio of top shots

time-read
10+ minutos  |
Summer 2024
Osprey & prey
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Osprey & prey

Birds of a feather Gary Jones and Leigh Pugh photograph ospreys from a purpose-built hide

time-read
8 minutos  |
Summer 2024
Superzoom lenses
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Superzoom lenses

These lenses will have you in for a long stretch, some more than others in the wide-angle to telephoto stakes

time-read
5 minutos  |
Summer 2024
Nikon Z 6III
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Nikon Z 6III

With a revolutionary 'partially stacked' full-frame sensor, the Z 6III fits flagship camera features in an compact enthusiast-level body

time-read
8 minutos  |
Summer 2024