Light painting is a technique that selectively illuminates subjects with light while the camera shutter remains open. A photographer paints a scene with light just like an artist paints canvas with paintbrushes.

It is indeed a fascinating technique. The exposure time can vary from few seconds to a few hours; but on average, it spans several minutes.

My approach to light painting is not minimalist. I tried almost every light source that is available, including tactical military lights, small table lights, and huge torches. Once in a while, I slave arrays of the off-camera strobes. My light-painting equipment even includes a gas power generator and plethora of unusual gadgets. I experiment with colours a lot, and I build filters of numerous hues – by now I have hundreds of various filters. I prefer subtle colours that convey mood, atmosphere; colours that compliment and enhance night scene, but do not interfere with it. I am yet to declare I mastered organic integration of my lights into the night landscape.

I don’t think I will ever seize to expand my collection. I also can’t keep up with the light painting ideas that visit my imagination.

There are times when the amount of lights and the colours that I intend to use becomes overwhelming. Most of the time I can’t keep up with the influx of the new gadgets I acquire. As I am planning trips to different parts of the world, I have to come up with a more portable version of my light arsenal so I can travel light; or just be able to travel with it.

The painting technique itself is tricky. It takes a long time to learn how all the parameters interact with each other. The more subjects you incorporate into your painting, the more different the light sources and gels you are trying to deploy – the more difficult it is to bring it all together. As far as the process of exposure goes, there is no guaranteed recipe. The duration of time you hold light over a certain spot depends on the overall exposure, ambient light, ISO, aperture, intensity of the light, required effect, density of the gel (if used), luminosity and color of the subject.

About a year ago, I decided to bring light painting to a new level. I think I am succeeding. Thus far, I feel I have only scratched a surface.