Writing with light, from Picasso to Lichtfaktor: how to use this amazing photographic technique

You may have already seen Light Writing in action, but for those who haven’t, a quick explanation: the technique is from almost 100 years ago, when Picasso (that man just loves to contribute to the art world…) decided draw a centaur in the air using a torch –

The photograph was taken by Gjon Mili – “I faced it [Picasso] with a photograph, taken in the dark but showing a skater’s jump traced with lights attached to the skates. Picasso reacted instantly. Intrigued, he began to draw with his finger in the air. They agreed to meet at a pottery in Vallauris. In the dark, after Mili fired her flash, Picasso drew a centaur in the air:

Since then, Light Writing has come a long way, and under the microscope is the group LICHTFAKTOR-

Lichtfaktor, a group of artists from Cologne, Germany, is setting the bar very high for other light artists from around the world. The group has turned the plain and simple (a trash can, for example) into fluid, moving and illuminating works of art, attracting the attention of major companies that want to contract the group for their own media, such as Philips, Current TV and Sprint. among them.

The Group started in 2006. Marcel Panne ($ehvermögen), David Lüpschen (Jiar) and
Tim Fehske (10X) first worked together when Panne was asked to come up with new material for an ‘Energy in Motion’ themed event. Fehske has already left the group, but $ehvermögen (photographer and VJ since 1997 with many years of experience in the field of events) and JIAR (communications designer and graffiti artist) are still experimenting with light on the streets.

The entire urban landscape is the artist’s “canvas”, which not only acts as a backdrop, but is incorporated into the work itself. Lichtfaktor is also kind enough to offer a tutorial, here it is.

HOW TO DO IT.

“These are the basics: For best results, you need a tripod. Exposure should be around 10-30 seconds or longer if necessary. Stay in front of the camera and write. To avoid overexposing, set the camera to about iso100, and close the aperture as much as possible.If there’s still too much light, you may need to use an nd filter.It’s always good to integrate the environment into your image.

We use flashlights, bike lights and flashing LEDs, all of which are battery powered so we are mobile, you also get good results with fireworks and torches.

There are 3 different types of lights that we use:

Xenon: Produces a warm golden light.
LED: makes a fine and precise line.
Cold cathode: thick line / thick cap.

But you get the best results by experimenting, using filters and things that reflect light…”