Learn to paint with light

By [rrothery]

AN evening of creating long exposures while running about in the dark on the beach might sound like something you'd get arrested for. Add in some multi-coloured lights, waved about on pieces of string, glowsticks thrown in the air and shouts of "that looks fantastic" and passers-by could have been forgiven for thinking something very odd was afoot at Westward Ho!.

In reality, it was a workshop run by Bideford photographer Dave Green, teaching the mysteries of 'light painting'. This is literally a dark art, allowing you to draw in the sky with a torch, getting your camera to record every movement of the light.

Human-sized kaleidoscopes of colour can be created, or angel wings sketched in fresh air on to a willing victim's back. Abstract orbs of light can be made to appear, spookily hovering in mid-air, the images revealing themselves on the camera screen.

Dave loves running the course because, not only is it fun, the results are so unexpected.

"We can't see 30 seconds of time as a still, frozen image," he said. "When a group of people are learning the art there's that extra element of chaos to add to the excitement. Once people see the images they've created on their camera screens they're soon running around with torches and sparklers and coming up with ideas themselves for making interesting pictures. Time flies…"

Dave showed us various techniques for producing different effects, most of which involved a fair bit of dashing about on the sand, giggling, while swirling bicycle lights, cigarette lighters, torches and those multicoloured toys you get from the fun fair. We were having so much fun that a group of local teenagers, wondering what on earth we were up to, wandered over and joined in with us as enthusiastic models.

The thought of taking part in a photography workshop might sound intimidating to some, but Dave's friendly approach and infectious enthusiasm means that even if you don't know your aperture from your elbow you're safe to experiment and generate some cosmic looking pictures.

Keen amateur photographer, Richard Gabriel, who also took part said: "It was an enjoyable experience I would recommend to any photographer. It gave me something to think about and to expand upon."

Five hours in the cold and dark might not sound like much fun, but after being shown the artistic possibilities of combining light and camera in new creative ways we'd have been happy to stay out all night.

● The next Playing with Light workshop at Westward Ho! will be on Saturday (March 27). There will be natural light from an almost full moon plus the opportunity to use torches, flash, flame and other light sources. The price is £25 per photographer. A torch swinging friend can attend at no extra cost. More details: www.greengallery.co.uk.

Other courses with Dave Green include Cameraless Photography Workshop Saturday, April 17 and Sunday, April 18 at Beaford Arts Centre, near Torrington, £50 per day. The Saturday will cover camera-less photography, using traditional photographic black and white paper. It's a chance to make daylight prints, sun-prints and photograms and learn how to make a darkroom. The Sunday will include making a pin hole camera from an empty box with photographic paper used instead of film. For more information or for booking contact Dave on 01237 477789 or e-mail dave@greengallery.co.uk.