Light painting photographer Dennis Calvert began light painting in 2009. Dennis is best known for creating some stunning images using a circle tool he invented where he can create intricate patterns of light. His favorite light painting artists are the team of JanLeonardo Woellert and Joerg Miedza, known as LAPP-PRO; the influence of LAPP-PRO can be seen in Dennis’s light painting work. Dennis is a regular contributor to the Flickr group Light Junkies where his images have racked up ten of thousands of views! When Dennis is asked what light painting is he says this, ” The ability to see in 4 dimensions, time traveling, and creating fantasy using only what we base all reality on, light.” Watch for Dennis to continue to push the limits of light painting photography, he has some crazy new tools in the works… Check out some of his images below, read the full light painting photography interview, and check out his website for more images and information.
Light Painting Photography interview conducted by Jason D. Page in 2011
1. What is your name?
Dennis Calvert
2. Do you have an alias that you go by?
NO
3. Are you a soloist or are you part of a Light Painting group? If a group who is in
your group?
Mostly soloist. I shoot with my wife, Ann, and sometimes other friends. Occasionally I
will do a collaborative project with other light artists.
4. What education do you have?
Mistakes and experience
5. What is your occupation?
Web Developer
6. How long have you been a photographer?
1.5 years
7. How long have you been light painting?
1.5 years
8. How did you discover Light Painting Photography?
Just like everybody else, by accident.
9. What was your first Light Painting Image?
A lighter
10. Film or Digital?
Digital.
11. Do you believe in aliens?
Not until I saw one last night.
12. What is your standard Light Painting Photography setup?
Canon 7D | Tripod | Remote | flash light | vast array of homemade lights
13. What is your favorite color?
I like them all.
14. Who influences your Light Painting Photography work?
Comic books, sci-fi
15. Who is your favorite Light Painting Artist?
Lapp-Pro
16. What is your favorite food?
beer
17. Do you create in any other mediums other than light painting? If so what are
they?
Pencils, Ink, Paint, Music
18. What is your favorite Light Painting Photography image that you have created?
EOS
19. What is your favorite Light Painting Photography image of another artist?
“Best Nest” – Trevor Williams
20. What is the most difficult part of Light Painting Photography?
Winter
21. How do you get you Light Painting Photography work seen?
The internet
22. Do you sell your Light Painting Photography work?
Gladly. Send me an email
23. Are you represented by a gallery?
No
24. Where can we see more of your work?
Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/denniscalvert/
Deviant Art
http://dennis-calvert.deviantart.com/
25. What is your favorite quote?
Don’t be afraid of the dark.
26. Who is your favorite artist?
27. What is you favorite activity other than light painting?
Playing music
28. Tell me a good light painting story.
One night a group of students approached us while we were shooting. They were pretty
freaked out by the lights they saw in the distance and were relived to find out it wasn’t
the mothership. We ended up talking with them for a bit and then inviting them be in a
few of the shots.
29. Tell me a nightmare light painting story.
Let’s just say you don’t want to bump into angry hunters on private property.
30. Have you ever been arrested or ticketed for light painting?
I’ve had to try to explain light painting to police, but never arrested of ticketed.
31. What do you say to people when they see you light painting and they ask “what
the hell are you doing”?
Depends on how intelligent the person appears as to how detailed of an explanation I
give.
32. Where do you find inspiration for your Light Painting Photography?
Everywhere
33. Who would you like to punch?
No one
34. Who would you like to kiss?
My wife
35. Why do you Light Paint?
Why do you breath?
36. What is your favorite time to shoot?
Spring and fall nights. The temp is ridiculously perfect.
37. What is your favorite subject to shoot?
Forgotten and rarely seen/traveled places.
38. Where is your favorite place to shoot?
Forgotten and rarely seen/traveled places.
39. If you could travel anywhere to Light Paint where would you go?
Where would I not go? I have a list.
40. Have you ever invented a Light Painting Photography tool? If so what was it and
how did it work?
Yes, a circle tool. Here’s a tutorial I wrote for diyphotography.net
http://diyphotography.net/make-lighting-painting-circles-with-light
41. Do you ever get sick of explaining your work to people?
Never
42. How many times have you heard the work photoshop when someone was
describing or asking about your work?
Sigh
43. What makes you happy?
Bright LEDs
44. What makes you mad?
Dead batteries
45. What part of Light Painting Photography do you enjoy the most?
The experience
46. What part of Light Painting Photography do you hate the most?
Winter
47. Do you have a website? If yes what is the address?
www.denniscalvert.net
48. What is Light Painting Photography?
The ability to see in 4 dimensions, time traveling, and creating fantasy using only what we
base all reality on, light.
49. Give me some advice for anyone that might like to try Light Painting
Photography.
Know your camera and experiment.
50. Are you scared of the dark?
Hell no!
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