.jpg)
The Art of Black Fiber Optic Portraits
- Stephen Knight
- 6 hours ago
- 6 min read
One of my favourite types of long exposure light painting portraits, is using black fiber optic brushes. These typically involve running a black fiber optic brush over or around the model. Unlike other fiber optic brushes used for light painting photography, black fiber optic brushes only emit light from the ends of the brush, which allows for a lot of creative options.
Model and Location
The most important consideration for black fiber optic light painting portraits, is that the brush will touch the model. It is important to inform the model of this when organising the photoshoot. Consent must be obtained by the model before you start taking photos, and consent can be removed at anytime. I would advise working with models you have worked with previously and/or have a chaperone available. Good communication is critical to good light painting portraits.
As the model needs to keep perfectly still for 10-20 seconds, it is important that they are comfortable, and pose in positions that make it easier to keep still. For example lying on a bed, relaxing on a couch, or leaning against a wall. Make sure that the model is aware that multiple attempts will be required, and typical "keeping still rates" vary between 50-90%. Models tend to be better at keeping still if they are not tired, or under the influence. Be aware that keeping still is very tiring, and allow the model have breaks or stretches when required,
The location needs to be very dark with virtually no ambient light. I tend to either use the model's bed or couch, or if outside, a tunnel. I tend to use a wide angle lens of around 24mm for most black fiber optic portraits, but a narrower field of view such as 50mm may be useful for upper body or head only portraits.
Equipment and Setup
As light painting portraits are long exposure photos, you will need a tripod, interchangeable lens camera, and a camera remote. Steps for setting up the camera:
Set the camera on a tripod and compose the scene.
Set the camera to Bulb mode and enable the remote (I recommend a 2 second delay).
Set the exposure. This will vary on the light, but I typically use around f/5.6, ISO400 with the RGB Critter BT (RGB light), and f/8, ISO100 with the Noctigon KR4 519A (high CRI white light). Note: this is a 3 stop difference in exposure!
Manually focus the camera.
You will also need to setup the light painting tools, which will be a torch/flashlight and a black fiber optic brush. At the time of writing I mainly use the Antsonamelon RGB Critter BT for RGB coloured light, and occasionally use the Noctigon KR4 519A 5700K for high-CRI white light.
The RGB Critter BT allows for multiple colours and effects modes, and you can navigate between these modes whilst you are light painting. I will connect the light to my phone by Bluetooth, select the modes I want to use in a playlist, re-ordering for navigation. Using the rocket menu, I will turn on Analogue, turn off Button Lights, and turn on Momentary. The light will only emit light when the on-button is held down for full control. The modes can be changed using the top two buttons, even whilst the light is not emitting any light. This is very useful for illuminating the model with one colour, and creating light trails with another colour. Be aware that there is a 1-2 second delay in changing modes.
For white light, I use the Noctigon KR4 519A 5700K flashlight. This is a cool(ish) white light, with high colour rendering index which is useful for skin tones. This light is complex to use, and I've written an article on how to use Anduril based flashlights. After selecting a brightness level. I will either use momentary mode for fine control over on/off, or just use the normal click for on, click for off functionality. Anduril lights also have adjustable strobe frequency for additional creative effects, which need to be used in conjunction with momentary or tactical mode. Colour filters can be used with white light flashlights to add colours.
Many light painting tool manufacturers make fiber optic brushes. I use brushes from Antsonamelon, Light Painting Paradise, and Light Painting Brushes (LPB). The latter are my favourites as they have more strands, and the LPB Fanned Out Fiber Optic Brush allows for more control.
I have also used Blue. Green, and Pink fiber optics for these style of portraits. Blue fiber optics create a cool electrical effect. Green and Pink fiber optics can create some interesting effects, but as they emit a lot of light out of the side of the brush, the model has to keep extra extra still. Adding an orange colour filter to Pink fiber optic brushes will create an Orange/Red "fire effect" light trail.
Green, Pink, and Blue Fiber Optics. Models: @_veil.of.sylvia_ and @djburnstravels
Some light painters may also use flash, or multiple flashes to illuminate a model at the start or end of a black fiber light painting portrait. Often the flashes are gelled with a colour filter. I don't use this technique, but if you do, you will need to setup these lights on tripods or lighting stands, and select the brightness to match the fiber optic brush brightness.
Starting the Exposure
Before starting the exposure, make sure that the model is ready, I provide a countdown of 3,2,1 and then trigger the exposure with a 2 second timer. These allows the model enough time to do things that may help them keep still such as holding their breath, or getting blinks out of the way. I then start light painting.
Light Painting Technique
There are quite a few different techniques to black fiber optic portraits. Typically I will start by illuminating the model. Then I will create the light trails. It is possible to just do the latter.
Illuminating the Model
This is an optional part of black fiber optic portraits, and can either use the flashlight and black fiber optic brush, or 1 or more flash units. Personally I use the former technique. I will scan the model with the light emitted from the brush from head to toe (or vice versa) in around 3-4 seconds. The end of the brush is around 30-60cm away from the model.
Some photographers will use a first curtain flash, using 1 or more flash units at the start of the exposure. The flash units are usually gelled with a colour filter from Lee or Rosco.
Light Trails
This is the really creative bit. This is where you run the fiber optics brush over, or around the model to create the light trails. This may be brushing over the model's body, in an ordered manner, or more random freestyle light trails. I tend to move the brush from feet/hands to head. Be careful when brushing over the eyes. Try not to brush the same body part multiple times. I also sometimes brush the backdrop behind the model as well. I tend to move the brush fairly quickly, though dabbing the brush, or changes in direction can create interesting effects, This technique is very experimental, and multiple attempts will be required until you are happy with the results.
It is also possible to create a silhouette effect with black fiber optic brushes. For these you will need to be behind the model, and wave around the brush behind the model to create a silhouette effect.
Examples
And finally, here is a YouTube video of how I created a set of black fiber optic light painting portrait.
I hope that this article has been useful. If you are interested in exploring the creative world of light painting photography, there are loads of other light painting tutorials on my website.
Help support this website by donating to:
Comments