Camera Rotation is a form of Kinetic Light Painting Photography where the lights in the scene generally stay stationary and the camera itself is moved to create the design in the final image. Using Camera Rotation you can take a common scene, ↑like the corner liquor store above ↑, and turn it into something extraordinary. If you are not familiar with Camera Rotation Photography there is a detailed tutorial HERE that will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the subject!

Camera Rotations are generally created using either a custom made CRT (Camera Rotation Tool) or a bulky Tripod Gimbal. Recently over in the Camera Rotation & Kinetic Photography Facebook group Light Painting Artist Juls Boo shared an idea for an interesting off the shelf solution, the full description of how to build it is pinned to the top of the FB group. His solution basically consist of a couple of L-Brackets and an indexing Rotator that is “normally” used for shooting Panoramics. The best part about using the Indexing Rotator is that the angles are already marked for you eliminating the need for a digital level. Below are a few shots of the set up and examples of images created with the rig, as you can see it breaks down really compact to fit in your bag.

This is what it looks like mounted to a tripod.

Here are some examples of images Juls has created using this rig.

The post Juls made sparked others to share their ideas too. There are a bunch of great ideas and solutions that you should check out but one in particular that seemed super simple was what Dan Chick came up with. Dan’s version is basically one Gemtune DH-55 Panoramic Ball Head with Indexing Rotator, With Quick Release Plate & Clamp and two Fotga Universal Quick Release Plate L Brackets. Why two brackets you might ask, well the answer to that is to help center the weight of the camera over the tripod.  Here are some images of the rig and below is a video that Dan made to show how it all works together!

Here are a few examples of images Dan has created with his rig:

Now go get this stuff and build yourself a rotation rig!

Light Painting is GROWING! Just launched last friday is more proof of this with the first ever magazine dedicated to the Light Painting Photography Art Form! Light Art Digital Magazine was created by Sasa Lightpainting and Ramsés Pacheco Light Painter, these guys did a tremendous job on this very first issue! The magazine will be published quarterly and sets out to “be a meeting point, a showcase, a reference and a opportunity of artistic diffusion for light painters around the world”. We are all looking forward to the future of this publication! Please head over to their website where you can download the magazine for FREE in both English and Spanish!

On March 3rd-4th 2017, the Light Painting World Alliance will be hosting a Light Painting Photography Meet Up in the Italian capital city of Rome! Because the group will be meeting in historical locations, it will be required that all event participants are registered in advance so if you are interested in attending please make sure to head over to the LPWA Event page HERE to get the details on how to sign up ASAP.

LPWA Meet ups are great events where you can collaborate and learn from other light painting artist. Past LPWA events have been very successful and given birth to some massive collaborations like the images below so make sure to sign up early:

For the first time a Light Painter has won F-Stoppers Photographer of The Year! Light Painting Photographer Eric Paré has quickly risen to become one of Light Paintings most well know names. Eric travels around the globe creating light paintings of exquisite beauty with the lovely Kim Henry at his side. With a unique style that is instantly recognizable as his own and a willingness to share his light painting techniques Eric has steadily built a community around his light painting work and the community has rewarded him by voting Eric into the top spot as F-Stoppers Photographer of The Year! Eric’s talent is only matched by his dedication and work ethic, so on behalf of the LPP Community CONGRATULATIONS on a well deserved win Eric! Check out the F-Stoppers article HERE.

Check out more of Eric’s work on his Instagram Page, Website and his Facebook group, where Eric hosts an incredible group that shares everything you could ever want to know about his unique style of Light Painting!