As I said in Selfie Sunday #1, ‘every picture tells a story’. Let me tell you the story behind the following picture.
Posing for photographer Charlie Lim in his studio
One day my friend Sabine Fink, a talented photographer, asked me to attend a special event that evening. She had done and successfully finished a training in Light Painting Photography by famous photographer Charlie Lim.
He had decided to organize a special and festive evening for her, a few of her friends and some of his friends. First we all went for dinner, after which he took us to his studio. There, Charlie Lim officially handed over a diploma to Sabine. He enthusiastically explained and talked about the technique that he specialized in: Light Painting. Say what? Allow me to explain:
The person poses in a pitch black studio. The camera is placed on a tripod with a long exposure time. The photographer then lights up his subject, using a torch. He uses this torch almost as a paintbrush, as he let’s the light go over the person’s face and body. A unique and very interesting technique, with results that resemble the works of classique painters like Rembrandt.
After an entertaining talk, both Charlie and his pupil Sabine invited us to pose for them, while they demonstrated their Light Painting skills. In the end, some of the guests experimented a bit with the light torch, just for fun, while the others were taken for a tour by Charlie through his treasure rooms. Because besides being a great photographer, Charlie is also a collectioneur and a fascinating person. He showed us all sorts of unique items and curiosa, accompanied by fun stories.
The picture above is taken right before first Sabine, and then Charlie, ‘painted’ me with light, while I was been given instructions for how to pose.
Here is the picture Charlie took from Frits and me together.
Cool, right?! Ofcourse this was done quickly, in just a few minutes, and while laughing and having fun. You really have to check out Charlie’s website to see the results he normally achieves with this technique. Amazing!
Find out more about Charlie Lim here. He is a world-renowned photographer and a true master with light.
Find out more about Sabine Fink here. She is a very experienced, enthusiastic and versatile photographer, who is able to work with all sorts of cameras, lenses and techniques. I am a big fan of her travel photographs, her nature photography (flora and fauna) and her pictures of events and people.
Had you ever heard of this photographic technique and style? Do you like it? Who are your favorite photographers and why?
To be honest I don’t like those light painted photos at all. It seems to be a lot of work, when you could have achieved a much nicer photo with a proper lighting setup.
I understand what you are saying, Syl. I have to admit that these are not the best examples of Light Painting pictures, since it was done in a jiffy and in a social setting rather then during a professional photoshoot. So I guess my post and pictures sell this method short. The results can be really beautiful and special.