Light Painting in Newtown

Light painting is something completely new to me, so I was excited when I saw the Joburg Photowalkers were organizing a group session to try out light painting in Newtown, Johannesburg.

Despite the amazing and complicated images there are of light painting, I found it surprisingly easy to do! You really can’t go wrong with a long shutter speed and some fun light sources. Of course, this would be the day that I couldn’t find any of my flashlights. Thankfully there were many enthusiastic photowalkers to lend me some.

Although I work only a few blocks away from this area of Newtown, I had never seen the giant abandoned and hollowed out building we ended up in. I’m not sure what the place had originally been, but it certainly lent itself to some beautiful shots.

I got my dose of exercise for the night dashing around with a flashlight. Luckily there were enough others doing the same that I didn’t feel quite so stupid.

A shadow made by a photographer writing in light on the wall.

Spinning is always fun.

A little note for Lee

These abandoned rooms were a bit creepy and smelled not-so-great.

Of course, anything with fire is fun.

I tried out some green bits of plastic on a flashlight.

Making ghost versions of myself was pretty fun.

Despite the cold I remained pretty warm after frenetic running around.

More ghost versions of me- done by running around on a long shutter speed and painting a bit of my face each time I stopped with a flashlight.

Squiggly lines compliments of 2Summers

Although we all started out in a giant group together testing things out and taking turns acting a bit crazy with lights, by the end of the night most people had found their own little corner to play with a wall or door or some cool background. There were certainly plenty to choose from!