Flashlight Photography (Page 2): Thanks! I did a little research and with this type of light, they suggested a warm white balance. I'm thinking of trying a short tele with some of our...

Quixdraw Loc: x

Orphoto wrote:

Quix. As you play around watch out for 1) how quickly a strong light can burn out an area, and 2) any white balance issues with the light. Go have some fun!

Thanks! I did a little research and with this type of light, they suggested a warm white balance. I'm thinking of trying a short tele with some of our deer population as subjects. I'm guessing any of the Nikons will read the spotlit area fairly well with spot metering. Supposed to snow tonight, so will be a bit before I get to experiment.

JustJill Loc: Iowa

quixdraw wrote:

Having had experiences in police work, and later l... (show quote)

My husband is a flashlight nut. He has Surefires, Zebra lights. He says one of his favorite and most versatile flashlight is the Streamlight Sidewinder II. Not sure about photography but it is a good all purpose light and the can wear it on a band around your head if needed. Would be good for walking the dogs at least.

Quixdraw Loc: x

JustJill wrote:

My husband is a flashlight nut. He has Surefires, Zebra lights. He says one of his favorite and most versatile flashlight is the Streamlight Sidewinder II. Not sure about photography but it is a good all purpose light and the can wear it on a band around your head if needed. Would be good for walking the dogs at least.

My Wife would characterize me the same way! This new Fury wasn't cheap (except in camera / lens context) but is the best flashlight I have yet used. It takes a large rechargeable battery with LEDs to show charge status but is only slightly larger than its predecessors. It will light up everything I need to see 250 meters out. I suppose Night vision would be better, but I'm just walking the dogs. The two who aren't porcupine stupid can walk free at night, but I can see their reflective collars at even greater distance. You might think Christmas for your husband!

cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania

Used an LED flashlight (Streamlight AA), can't remember the model because the numbers are worn off
Taken with D750, 24-120 kit lens
Taken about 2 1/2 yrs. ago

(Download)

sooc
sooc...

(Download)

After a little processing
After a little processing...

(Download)

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

As a retired peace officer I've always relied on Surefire and Streamlight tacticle flashlights and own several LED's of each. I have not used them for photography though and stick to speed lights or studio strobes.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

quixdraw wrote:

Having had experiences in police work, and later l... (show quote)

I prefer the Stream Lights because of their build, super bright light, rechargable batteries and a fabulous warranty, I have three two of which were used everyday at work and one I bought for my late wife 20 yrs. ago. Two are aluminum and one (the oldest 30 yrs old is composition) replacement batteries are $13 and usually last two - 3 years. sure beats the devil out of $3 + each for the 123s my S&W tactical light uses, plus a couple of off brand lights my late wife purchased.
I did do some light painting years ago at Tower Rock, the distance was approx. 45 yds., While the images were okay they just were not presentable mainly due to my inexperience in this medium.
I have however used one of the lights for fill when doing early morning close-ups of flowers it worked very well but since I don't keep track of how I produced an image I can't show any, but they have been posted one time or another.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I don't have fancy flashlights like you do, but I have done some "light painting" photography. I had a neighbor with some night-blooming cactus, and I shot them in the dark. I used both an LED (very white light) and regular (sort of yellowish light) flashlights trying to mimic sunlight. It worked pretty well. When in Carlsbad, I borrowed a ranger's light to light paint a stalagmite that didn't have a focal light on it. That worked really well.

Quixdraw Loc: x

cmc4214 wrote:

Used an LED flashlight (Streamlight AA), can't remember the model because the numbers are worn off
Taken with D750, 24-120 kit lens
Taken about 2 1/2 yrs. ago

Thanks - your very good results are encouraging!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I got some great little flashlights from Amazon, but only about half of them work. They're very bright, and they zoom in and out. They come in sets of four.

As for flashlight photography, they use the term "painting with light." Open the lens with a small aperture in a dark area, and use a flashlight or flash gun to illuminate one area after another. I've also shot pictures using little lights that attach to the fingers.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Manglesphoto wrote:

I prefer the Stream Lights because of their build,... (show quote)

I have two Streamlights, one going back to my Police days. I keep that in the car - solid aluminum, works well with regular batteries. The Surefires are small, almost pocket sized and incredibly powerful. I agree about the 123 batteries, I keep them on hand, they have a very long shelf life, but day to day have two pairs of rechargeable 123 batteries I got from Surefire. They make the whole thing a lot more affordable. Thanks for your input - when the snow goes and it is a bit warmer, I'll be experimenting.

Quixdraw Loc: x

AzPicLady wrote:

I don't have fancy flashlights like you do, but I have done some "light painting" photography. I had a neighbor with some night-blooming cactus, and I shot them in the dark. I used both an LED (very white light) and regular (sort of yellowish light) flashlights trying to mimic sunlight. It worked pretty well. When in Carlsbad, I borrowed a ranger's light to light paint a stalagmite that didn't have a focal light on it. That worked really well.

Thank you! Much appreciate your input!

Rwheless Loc: Houston, TX

Light painting is a lot of fun. I used to do quite a bit of it with a shooting buddy. We would always bring a variety of light sources of different colors and lumens, but if I had to choose one, it would be one of the bright "CREE" flashlights with the adjustable bezel that could make the beam wide or narrow. This is one of my favorite light painting images.

(Download)

Quixdraw Loc: x

jerryc41 wrote:

I got some great little flashlights from Amazon, but only about half of them work. They're very bright, and they zoom in and out. They come in sets of four.

As for flashlight photography, they use the term "painting with light." Open the lens with a small aperture in a dark area, and use a flashlight or flash gun to illuminate one area after another. I've also shot pictures using little lights that attach to the fingers.

I don't buy the cheap ones anymore. The first year I lived here had one fail shortly after I had seen an Rattlesnake near. Got away with it but no pleasant experience.

dbrugger25 Loc: Raleigh, NC

I have some Powertac brand flashlights that are small, very powerful, rechargable and almost indestructable. They are expensive but worth it. Most Powertac flashlights havd multiple intensities and a strobe function. Most are powered by a CR 123 or CR 123A battery that hold a charge well. The light is very white. I highly recommend them.

Wilderness Images Loc: Apache Junction, AZ.

quixdraw wrote:

Having had experiences in police work, and later l... (show quote)

I've played around with 'Light Painting' occasionally. What I've fount is that the super bright lights don't cast a 'warm' light, rather it's a harsh, intense light that doesn't play well with the final night image.

The photo I've included shows a light painted Ironwood tree in full bloom. I first tried a super bright LED but the tree was so white that it looked as though it was frozen. I kept playing around with an assortment of flashlights that I had brought along.

The tree in the photo was shot while I painted it with a pocket size mini-mag light, with an incandescent bulb and with half dead batteries. The camera was taking a ten-shot series of fifteen-second exposures while I painted the tree.

Jack Olson
in Apache Junction, AZ.

(Download)