Project two: Crea tive techniques: Here come the swirls

Mike Harris uses a torch, some string and coloured filters to ‘paint’ mesmerizing geometric patterns

- Mike Harris

The Mission – Use a suspended torch and dedicated attachments to light paint geometric patterns

Time – One hour

Skill level – Intermediate

Kit needed – Wide-angle lens – Remote shutter release – Tripod – Light painting tools

The uninitiated might assume light painting is simply postproduction trickery, when, in actual fact, light painters are constantly pushing the envelope and redefining what can be achieved in-camera. In fact, the light painting community is so inventive it can be a little hard to know where to start, and that’s where this month’s Creative Techniques project comes in.

By suspending a tiny beam of light on a piece of string and setting it into a swinging motion, you can create incredible geometric patterns from the comfort of your own home. What makes this an ideal first light painting project is that it can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. Just one light source can create clean but complex trails of light, or you can experiment with various colours and beams to form incredible deep-space-like masterpieces.

If you have a torch and a means to condense the light (thick tape or black paper will do), you can create your own DIY light beam, and if you have any gels laying around you can even change its colour too. However, a huge array of dedicated light painting equipment is also available.