A Step-by-Step Guide to Light Painting by David Gilliver
 
Paint the Night Without the Guesswork
 
The Lowdown Many of you know I am a huge fan of David Gilliver. He is one of the most creative photographers I have ever met, and his enthusiasm is just infectious. While we have a massive 4-part series with David planned for January 2027, I wanted to share this fantastic resource with you right now.
 
If you have ever stood in a dark garden waving a torch around and wondering why your photo looks like a blurry mess, this guide is for you. David strips away the confusion of long-exposure photography and shows you exactly how to turn the darkness into a canvas.
 
Why I Love This Guide Light painting can feel intimidating. What settings do I use? How do I focus when I cannot see anything? What tools do I need?
 
David answers all of that. He walks you through his entire kit bag, from simple LED torches to specific tools like the Pixelstick. It is practical, accessible, and honest. He even covers the mistakes he made early on so you do not have to make them yourself.
 
What this covers:
The Toolbox: A complete breakdown of the tools you can use, including torches, El Wire, light sabers, and colour filters.
The Techniques: Step-by-step instructions for creating perfect Orbs, light Domes, Ribbons and Physiograms.
The Setup: Critical advice on focusing in the dark, using Bulb mode, and managing ISO to avoid noise.
Star Trails: How to capture the movement of the stars and combine them with your light painting.
Safety First: Essential tips on working safely in the dark, especially when using materials like wire wool.
 
About the Author David Gilliver is a multi-award-winning photographer and artist who graduated from the Glasgow School of Art. He specialises in macro and long-exposure photography and has worked with global brands including Sony, Samsung, and Honda. He recently won the Macro Photography category at the British Photography Awards.