Denis Smith Light Painting Workshops

Light Painting Photographer Denis Smith a.k.a The Ball Of Light is taking the Light Painting Workshop to another level. Focused on education and the total experience, Denis is combining a full service Light Painting experience with some seriously epic locations! If you are a newbie looking to learn the art of Light Painting, an experienced Light Painter looking for guided access to some stellar locations, or an artist thinking about starting your own Light Painting workshops read on because Denis has shared a ton of valuable information in the interview below!

LPP ∇ Denis I am really digging the direction you are taking your workshops! It looks like you have a couple of different options from larger group settings at abandoned insane asylums to Light Painting dream field trips into the wilderness, can you tell me more about what you have going on?

DS ∇ At the beginning of 2015 we (my wife Kyrie, and business partner Sam) decided it was time to fulfill a long time dream of mine, to share some of the knowledge I have around light painting. Our initial event was designed for 30 participants in a huge refurbished warehouse. It sold out almost immediately, so we opened it up for another 2 nights, which also sold out.

On the back of that success we decided to design some more intimate events in more exciting locations. But the ultimate fantasy of mine was to take a small group into the Australian outback, which is where my light painting journey really began.

LPP ∇ I know there is a significant amount of work and money that you need to put up for just one workshop, what you are creating is a massive undertaking… what is it that made you take the leap? Was there a magic AH HA moment for you. Was it the success of the first ones that gave you the push to make a go of it?

DS ∇ With the success of the 2015 events and the amazing feedback we got it was a no brainer to extend the events into 2016. There was a very definite moment where I realized we had a thing. I was standing in front of a group of 15 at our Z-Ward event. This was our first really intimate and exclusive event in a very special location. I looked out across the small group and realized that 5 people had travelled by air, from quite a distance to be there. I felt incredibly humbled, and excited. They had a blast and all said the effort, and expense was well worth it. What a buzz!

LPP ∇ That must have been a great feeling! In the video promo you put out, and just from talking with you over the years, your passion for the Light Painting Art Form is very evident. I know that photography pretty much saved your life can you tell me a little about what you are so passionate about Light Painting?

DS ∇ Ah yes, “photography saved my life”. A huge call, but as the years roll on I feel more and more sure that my discovery of the camera at a time in my life when I truly believed there was no way out helped me climb out of a very deep, dark hole. I still suffer from some pretty aggressive mental health issues, and photography is where I go to find solace. It is a safe place for me, and I can shelter from daily life. What I have learned over the years, and since the release of the Ball of Light Documentary, is that more and more people are using the joy of photography as a means to relax and take time out for themselves.

My passion has not waned, in the slightest. Every time we hold a workshop I see people getting out into the wild and taking what they have learned further. On many cases they are sharing it with their own family, friends and other photographers, It feels like Light Painting is spreading through the photography community like wildfire. Everyone sees it and is in awe.

LPP ∇ How does your passion translate to the workshops?

DS ∇ I have been Light Painting now for 6 years, which amazes me because I remember the first weeks that I discovered it with such clarity. I still go out now and look at the back of the screen with such excitement each and every time. When I have a room of 30, 15, or even a tour of 6 people I get so excited about seeing them experience the same thrill, and it is universal.

It doesn’t matter how tired I am from preparing the events, because it is an incredible amount of work, when that room is full, and the room goes dark, the energy and adrenaline that surges through my body it so much fun. I simply do not stop until the last person leaves for the night. It is hard to explain the thrill. I have no idea where the energy comes from.

LPP ∇ What is the craziest thing that has happened in one of your workshops so far?

DS ∇ We did a workshop in the Z-Ward Insane Asylum. It is quite legendary for being very haunted! I saw a guy about 2 weeks after the event, he relayed to me that he was in one of the cells, no one else next to him. He was sitting on the floor, looked away, then looked back and his camera was attached to his tripod, lying on the floor. No sound, not noise from it falling, not a mark on it, just on its side on the floor. Now this is a pretty straight up guy. He was a little shaken up by it and said he didn’t mention it on the night, as he didn’t want to freak me out!

LPP ∇ Something that really stands out to me about your workshops is the attention to detail, from the gear you have available all the way down to the presentation style. What should someone attending one of your workshops expect.

DS ∇ From the outset I wanted anyone attending the workshop, whether a complete novice, to an experienced light painter, to leave feeling like they had learned a significant amount.

At our events that are specifically designed for beginners we can even provide the cameras and tripods. But people can arrive with the most basic equipment and we cater to that. All events are designed to cater to 30 second exposures at F5.6, so a super basic camera and kit lens works perfectly.

We provide a full complement of light painting tools. This is really important. There is a huge amount of gear, which has been a huge investment for us. From torches to EL Wire, full RGB LED strip tools to basic light wands there is nothing missing.

We partner with some incredible companies that make this possible. The Light Painting Brushes system has been instrumental in making the workshops as comprehensive as they are. Without the Universal Connector we simply would not be able to cater for up to 30 participants properly. We have 30 basic torches that they can connect to the LPB tools we have, but more importantly it shows each participant that they can get creative and design their own tools. Of course a system like this is fantastic, and affordable for those that are not into making their own.

I am a LED Lenser International Ambassador, so I always have a great selection of that product on hand. For our Full Moon in the Flinders Tour participants, they receive a “welcome pack” when booking that includes one of the amazing LED Lenser T2QC torches and SEO3 headlamps. Without the incredible support of LED Lenser this would be impossible

LPP ∇ The workshops are more of a hands on experience, rather than a lecture series correct?

DS ∇ Oh yes! I have been to some photography workshops where you sit in rows and listen to some person delivering hours of theory and you don’t even pull out a camera. We do things differently. At the beginning of each event there is just enough theory to get you started. We have a private Facebook group, as soon as you book you get access to this page, Here you see all of the basics required to get started, there are hundreds of people who have been to an event who are exacted about answering questions.
After the short intro to the space and the light painting tools we have on hand it is all business, we get people straight into the light painting. We always have staff, experienced light painters, on hand right by their sides all night, answering questions and more importantly listening to people’s ideas and helping make them a reality.

I want everyone to leave with a memory card full of images that they created!

LPP ∇ The locations you have already had have been epic, what locations are on the 2016 roster?

DS ∇ This year is all about taking it outside. Our locations like an old insane asylum and will still be on the calendar, but this year we will be introducing our first Full Moon Tour. 4 days and 3 nights in my favorite locations. These are all inclusive, door to door experiences. We will be heading to the Flinders Ranges first. This place is stunning, deep in the Australian outback amongst the most ancient valleys on the planet. This will be extremely exciting and is limited to 6 people.

We will also be doing some great one night events out in the field. We will be heading into the forest; here we will break into small group sand shape the forest with light. We have many dry salt lakes here in South Australia. We will be heading out onto these for an extreme open space experience. There is nowhere to hide on the salt.

We will be holding the Z-Ward Experience again. This is a disused insane asylum here in Adelaide. We have a model with us and with only 12 people in this huge building it is a space to let the imagination run wild.

It is going to be a huge year!

LPP ∇ Wow man that is really exciting! Putting these workshops together especially when you’re taking people out in the field you must run into some challenges, what is the most difficult part of putting these things together?

DS ∇ The amount of time that goes into these events behind the scenes is amazing. I want these to be perfect! So the most challenging part is making sure that each participant gets the attention needed. I always make sure that we have enough experienced light painters on hand to make sure that any question is answered as soon as possible. A complete novice has to leave with the same thrill as an experienced pro, this takes a lot of planning!

LPP ∇ What is the most rewarding?

DS ∇ I greet and say good-bye to every participant as they come and go. It fills me with joy seeing the excitement and nerves as people arrive, then seeing eyes filled with wonder as they leave! I will never tire of the experience.

LPP ∇ Anywhere in the world; where would you want to take a group and teach them about light painting?

DS ∇ Oh boy! Anywhere? I have been light painting in the Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia on the night of a full moon. I would love to take a group there!

Or maybe around the ancient temples of Luxor. I love the idea of doing such a cutting edge, modern form of art around ancient locations, and imagining the people of the time seeing what we are doing. Maybe the massive Moai heads of Easter Island?

LPP ∇ How about some advice for other Light Painters that are thinking about starting their own workshops? What are the things to look out for?

DS ∇ As with anything where people are paying you for a service, you need to set the right expectations, then over deliver. Holding events at the level we do takes a huge amount of time to prepare, organize and deliver the product. You have to have a capital behind you to hold a big event. The costs are up front, and often you don’t get the numbers and payment until close to the event. Time has value, and you must factor that in when preparing. Be careful who you partner with, they must bring real tangible value, or don’t do it. Everyone wants something for nothing and although a huge name might be attached to a partner, be ultra clear about what they are going to deliver, and get it in writing!

I don’t know what advice I would have liked, There were no real surprises. I have an amazing team around me and they make sure I miss nothing. I suppose just not to rely on anyone but myself and my closest allies. That way it is hard to be let down.

LPP ∇ Thank you very much for taking the time to answer all of these questions, I am sure that you will have a really successful 2016!

DS ∇ Thank You.

Want to sign up or just learn more about Denis and his workshop series check out his website HERE!