planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

After reading a few posts here I found a video on YouTube form B&H about light painting photography....I think I'll do some experimentation today or tonight.

Ruraldi Loc: Milmay, NJ

A flashlight under the arch (out of site) is a nice touch to a sky picture. Not to bright depending upon the length of the exposure.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Kelly--
Thanks for bringing this up. After following the discussion for a while, I visited the Arches National Park website, which I recommend that everyone in the discussion do as well. What you will learn is that four of the southeast Utah national parks have adjusted their master plans in a very interesting way. The four parks are Arches, Canyonlands, Hovenweep, and Natural Bridge.

The gist of it is that all four of the parks have elected to adopt preservation of the dark night sky as part of their mission. Since preservation is the most key of the functions provided by the National Park Service, they are well inside their authority in making this decision. Part of dark sky preservation includes rules and restrictions around the introduction of artificial light of any source and intensity anywhere in the park. This includes any lighting used for light painting as well as normal safety or convenience lighting.

My suggestion is that you investigate how to use either residual deep twilight lighting or else light from an early phase crescent moon to accomplish views of the arches. I am already planning a trip to Capulin Mountain in northeastern New Mexico next summer to work on developing this technique. Once I get the basics figured out, southeastern Utah sounds like a great next stop.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

The problem is that the OP contacted the park and they wouldn't tell him what the rules are.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Thanks. I understand that. The most likely reason is that there are no rules to understand...simply no artificial lighting allowed in the natural areas of the park, and very limited lighting in the developed areas. It seems in today's world that the simplest rules are the ones that we have the biggest problem understanding, especially if they don't line up with what we want to do. Can't say that I might have had problems initially accepting the answer either. By the way, this seems to be an ongoing process, with ceremonies as recently as September ushering in the new rules and processes.

bgrn Loc: Pleasant Grove UT

Thanks for everyone’s replies. In researching this is have been able to find out a little more. Apparently they did put a ban in place but the Utah photography groups brought this up to the table and were able to strike a compromise to allow for the “low light exception”. The problem arises where no one knows what that that means. I always try to be considerate of other people, and I understand the need for keeping dark skies dark, this is why I try and research before jumping into a place like this where people come from all over to experience this very unique area. I have the luxury of living close to these NP’s, for others it may be a once in a lifetime visit. So far it’s looking like if we do anything it will be trying with a small pen light but more than likely we will not do any painting as we don’t want to mess things up for everyone else. Thanks again and we are still open to new ideas.