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Light Painting Tutorial – The Peacock Technique

How to Light Paint a Peacock Effect – Step‑by‑Step Tutorial

Peacock Light Painting Technique

In this tutorial, Light Painting Artist Jason Rinehart presents his signature “Peacock” technique—creating dramatic feathered arcs of light that fan outward from a central point using tools from Light Painting Brushes. The result resembles a glowing peacock tail in one long-exposure frame.

🛠 What You Need

  • Plexiglass tools from Light Painting Brushes
  • Camera with Bulb mode
  • Tripod
  • Remote shutter release or timer
  • A dark environment—studio or outdoors at night

📸 Recommended Camera Settings

  • Shooting Mode: Bulb
  • Shutter Speed: Approx. 50–90 seconds
  • Aperture: f/8
  • ISO: ~400
  • Manual focus locked on starting position of the light tool

🎨 How to Create the Peacock Effect

  1. Set your camera on a tripod and frame your scene.
  2. Begin the long exposure.
  3. Sweep the light tool upward and outward in a smooth fan pattern.
  4. Create evenly spaced “feathers” radiating from center.
  5. Stop before exiting the frame, turn off light, then close the shutter.

✨ Creative Tips

  • Combine multiple fan sweeps with different colors for layers.
  • Use plexiglass for bold strokes.
  • Practice your sweep motion at normal speed before firing long exposures.

📍 Helpful Notes

  • Wear dark clothing to stay invisible in the exposure.
  • Pre‑visualize the maximum reach of your fan before lighting up.
  • Use a remote shutter or intervalometer to minimize camera shake.

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