jimmya Loc: Phoenix

This is a smaller example of painting but the idea is the same.

This is a small ornamental windmill in my back yard. I shot this in the dark, of course, and just ran the flash light all around it and the cactus that stands near by.

30 Sec, ISO 100, f/10.

(Download)

Allen Hirsch Loc: Oakland, CA

Thank you, Ka2azman.

Jerry M

You have outlined two distinct projects in the same shot. Both of these can be daunting if you have not done them before. And working in the dark can be frustrating even if you think you are well organized. I suggest you not let that one night be your first time doing these two projects. If you have not painted by light before, do a mock up of the scene you expect to be shooting. Use a tree, a telephone pole or just construct something to paint on a dark night. Get used to the technique and make some of the beginner mistakes in your own back yard first, and see what your pictures look like. I suggest using flashlights with focused beams, diffused beams and even colors if you have that capability. You will surprise yourself with the way they look. Be sure and post the results for us to see. Good Luck.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

I don't think that you want to paint the tree more than a few seconds, but of course I don't know how large the tree is. I think that you want a flash light that is not only powerful but will diffuse the light evenly when set on the diffused setting. I do not think that you want to use spot as my experience is that it is too bright and unless you are really good it will be very uneven. You are painting, keep that in mind you will be using the flash light like a paint brush and will want to paint the tree evenly unless there is a particular feature that you want to highlight or obscure.

I have only limited experience with light painting but those have been my observations. You will be shooting digital so a little trial and error will get you going, if you have a well charged laptop available then you can review some of your work as you go, much better than trying to look at the LCD of your camera.

gmcase Loc: Galt's Gulch

This guy set the bar pretty high. There are 7 to 8 of his on YouTube.

http://youtu.be/RK_tBOT8xDc

GTinSoCal Loc: Palmdale, CA

I've never been to that waterfall...
Might have to stop by the next time I head up there :-)

I really like the multiple exposure technique, as long as you software to support layers.
A really nice benefit is that you can paint every single image differently and pick the one(s) you like the most.

A simple way to do multiple exposures is to set you camera on manual, 20-30 sec exposure in continuous shooting mode and lock down the remote trigger.
It will shoot until you release it. You can paint to your heart's content. :-)

Another idea for you, is to paint someone (yourself or someone else) into one of the frames. You can still have the star trails and a shot of yourself there :-)

I'm getting excited for your trip!

GT

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

M, sorry about the moon, I thought I saw "Full moon", and not new.

I'm including a pic here from Mono Lake with a light painted tufa. My Ambient Light was just as the last rays of sun disappeared into the blue hour, so it's a little different, and not completely pitch dark.
You might try one exposure at blue hr, to get some color in the sky.
The exif is all intact, but the shot was on Bulb for 51 seconds, f8.0, ISO 100 at 24mm with a FF Canon 5dll.
The painting was with a 5 watt, 6 volt LED so it had a lot of power, but the rock was about 50 feet away. The light was actually too powerful and I used it for about 5-10 seconds, but the rock is 30 feet wide and 10 feet tall.

I would not use the mag on a small spot, or you might leave dark holes. I would use it a little softer than that. The trunk should be easy to do, but the farther up branches may need to be burned in a little. You can also use a well placed flash. I've also seen car headlights used VERY effectively.
I would practice on the tree till you have it to your liking, then start your star exposures
Good luck with your shot, they can be so stunning if you get it right! ;-)
SS

Mono Lake light painting

(Download)

mmeador

I would try about 30 seconds to start. Light Painting is about experimentation. I would move your flashlight over all of the branches on the tree. I think a small penlight would be better and you might try different color jells for different effects.
It is a lot of fun and the pictures can be amazing.

missletoe Loc: Tujunga, CA

Thank you LPigott, I just ordered the book from Amazon

missletoe Loc: Tujunga, CA

GT, I just ordered "Night Sky" from Amazon as suggested by a UHH member. If you plan on checking out this falls, PM me and I will give you directions. It is un-signed and not many people know about this falls and I want it to remain somewhat of a secret. It has a very large overhang/cave behind it. You can sit behind the falls, it's very cool...great place for a picnic lunch.