Some of you might be wondering if I captured any light paintings in Myanmar… of course!
This is one of my favorite photography techniques. You find a dark place and set up your tripod for a 30-second exposure with a high ISO and about f8. Then use a daylight white balance torch (aka “specialty flashlight”) with adjustable brightness to illuminate your subject from the dark. The key is to light your subject from an extreme side angle to maintain plenty of shadows. This is called “off-camera lighting.” I taught a small group this technique one night after dinner in Old Bagan
This place was right by our hotel and there were no lights on this pagoda. This is all with the flashlight. There was a guard up on the street keeping watch over the temple and us while we worked this scene. We felt totally safe as we followed a dirt path to photograph this old pagoda and he enjoyed watching our adventure. I felt safer in Myanmar than in any country in Asia I have traveled, Our guide said we could go out at night anywhere and be safe. I watched people in the crowded markets with their wallets and cell phones sticking out the top of their longji skirts without worry about pickpockets. Perhaps it is their extreme devotion and loyalty to their faith? All young people shave their heads and spend time as a nun or novice monk in a local monastery to learn Buddhism.
Here is a tutorial from my website to get your started!:
https://carynesplin.com/fine-art-light-painting/
