How to Know Where to Shine Your Light When Light Painting (Beginner’s Guide)

How Do You Know Where to Shine Your Light While Light Painting?

Question by Will C:

Q: Hey mate, I’m just a beginner photographer. I wanted to ask for some pointers on light photography. I’ve just got one question: how do you know where to shine your torch when creating a design? Like, how do you remember exactly where your last mark was and where the next one should go?

A: Great question, Will—and one I get pretty often. It's something I've spent the past 18 years figuring out, and I think it's time I break it down in detail. My hope is that sharing my experience helps other photographers and artists take their light painting skills to the next level.

When I first started light painting back in October 2007, I had almost no photography experience. I was curious about how to recreate the iconic photo of Pablo Picasso drawing a centaur with light, so I reached out to a friend who was a professional photographer. We did a few experiments in my apartment living room (below).

At the time, I didn’t know anything about cameras, long exposures, or light painting techniques. But I did have years of experience as an illustrator. I worked professionally as a graphic artist and was a cartoonist for my college newspaper. Drawing had always been a passion.

That said, light painting is a very different beast. There’s no “undo” button. You’re creating full-scale drawings in a 3D environment—completely blind to what you’ve done until the shutter closes. It’s like learning how to draw all over again.

The Learning Process

I began with gestural drawings: simple squiggly lines in the shapes of people, faces, and abstract forms. Then came stick figures and animals. Eventually, I progressed to more complex forms like human figures, skeletal forms, and even full skeletal dinosaurs. Each new breakthrough felt like I was passing through an invisible wall in the creative process.

I started using only white light, but over time I learned to introduce color—first a few hues, and later multi-colored sequences. Eventually, I taught myself how to animate those light paintings using stop-motion techniques.

Light painting is a strategic and physical process. Every serious attempt takes effort—and often, trial and error. But you grow through the challenge. Even if something feels out of reach, how will you know unless you try?

So try.
Try and fail.
Try and learn.
Try and eventually—succeed.

Tips for Beginners: How to Know Where to Shine Your Light

• Build Muscle Memory: Start with repeated practice of simple shapes. Over time, your body will remember where to move and how to space your strokes.

• Work in Layers: Begin with single-color, gestural shapes. Then level up to stick figures, human forms, animals, or any subject you enjoy.

• Plan Your Composition: Mentally visualize (or sketch out) your design beforehand. Use reference points in your environment to guide positioning.

• Experiment with Color: Once you’re confident with form, introduce colored lights. You can tape gels over your torch or use multi-colored LEDs.

• Progress to Animation: If you're feeling ambitious, try creating short light painting stop-motion sequences by moving slightly between frames.

Remember: this is your artistic journey. The only real competition is with yourself. Enjoy the process.