Tuesday 11 November 2025
David Gilliver’s presentation was an illuminating and technically rich one, on the art of Light Painting (a form of long-exposure photography). David has previously spoken to the Club about his Macro photography ‘Little People’. David, who is a professional artist with a robust portfolio including commissions, provided a comprehensive look behind the scenes of his surreal, light-sculpted landscapes.
The core strength of the meeting was its emphasis on practical, in-camera techniques over post-production editing. David expertly shared his workflow, confirming that patience and imagination are the true tools of the trade.
Key Takeaways Included:
- Essential Gear and Settings: A mandatory requirement was to shoot in bulb mode using a simple shutter release, coupled with advice on light conditions (the clear sky between the first and third quarter moon phases).
- The Arsenal of Light: David showcased his extensive collection of light painting tools—from common items like EL Wire and Glow sticks to specialist gear such as the Pixelstick and RGB Critter flashlight—detailing the specific effects each tool achieves.
This presentation was highly valuable for both experienced photographers and those curious about long-exposure work. David’s passion and detailed advice on managing technical considerations, such as marking frame boundaries, alongside the sheer scope of creative tools, made this a great evening. A thoroughly entertaining talk, inspiring all of our members who attended.
If you would like to see more of David’s work or book a workshop check out these links:
Website: davidgilliver.com
Facebook: davidgilliverphoto
Light painting tools discussed:
- Electroluminescent (EL) Wire (inexpensive and widely available)
- Finger LEDs
- Poles with LEDs on the end (for ORBs)
- Torch filters (different colours)
- Bike wheel (with LEDs on the rim) and a bar at 45 degrees through the middle
- Pixelstick (paints images up to 200 pixels wide)
- Glow sticks
- RGB Critter flashlight
- Light blade attachments (for example “Crown Jewel”)
- Light Scanner (difficult to obtain, but could be 3D printed)