Guys, I need help with something. Please don't be too harsh because I know nothing about photography but I'm helping a friend out. The plan is to use the long shutter mode (did I get it right?) to create the effect of having wings of light.

Now here's the problem. If the person who will be "drawing" the wings stand behind the subject, then there will be an apparition in the resulting photo. but if we play with perspective and the person who "draws" the wings stands really far back, the wings will either be too small or be in thin lines. Does anyone know how we can eliminate the apparition?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

wings? or u mean trails? do it in dark. I dont really get what u mean tho. I pmed u the link to some example. If that's what u want, go msg her how to do it then.

wah lau cannot understand leh.

you wanna use long shutter speed to create motion blur, what is drawing, wings ? the person stand behind draw a pair of wing with a touch light?

i suggest you shoot first using 1 second shutter with that idea and post the picture here even if its a mess, it will at least give some idea what are you trying to do.

It all depends on the lighting. Here are some tips.

1) Get your "apparition" to wear all black. If possible, have black mask, black gloves...you get the idea.
2) Make sure your light is...well, bright.
3) Rehearse drawing the wings in a set amount of time. Say, if you decide to try a 10sec open shutter, then rehearse drawing the wings from start to end in EXACTLY 10sec.
4) Do this a few times and experiment with different shutter speeds to see how it will affect your picture. Try 5, 10, 15, 20...

this is a very nice effect to experiment...
thanks for the enlightnment TS!

ionStorm, thanks!!! I will let my friend know. You guys have been a big help.

You should then also try long exposure and signing your name in the air with a red laser pen... That was pretty cool, except too bad couldn't sign my name in mirror mode

was quite fun to draw vulgar stuff up too..hehe

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/459836...h+age_scale%3A5

This is what I meant. Notice there was no apparition? Trying to learn how to do that. Derred, I checked out the link you PMed me but it's not really what I was looking for >.< Thanks though

looks like he moves that camera, light source stays constant.

or just photoshop, faster easier.

I'd prefer not to photoshop if possible It's a photography composition and the photographer is pretty adamant, bleh.

Partly agree with ionStorm.
This is what I think. May or may not be accurate.

1. Move fast, as fast as possible.
- apparitions are blurred out.

2. The person drawing the wings (light-painter) must not stand too long at a spot while drawing. He should be moving constantly.
- apparitions are blurred out.

3. Use bright lights and/or bright background and/or bright back lighting.
- apparitions becomes underexposed thus less visible.

4. Use as long exposure as you can. Let's say you can finish drawing [using the light] in 5 seconds, set the shutter speed to be longer than 5 seconds (e.g. 10-30 sec).
- longer exposure will allowed ambient light to cover up the apparitions.

5. Totally no lights fall on the person drawing the wings. Or work in total darkness. (no lights=no apparition)

Perhaps you can flash on the subject while the light-painter is out of the view. Then the light-painter swiftly moves in, draw the wings, moves out. All the time, the subject should be as still as possible.

Hope it helps!

And do show us the results. We want to know what works, and what doesn't.
And we like to look at nice photos.

Try search for Ah Piew kor (WildPiew)'s thread in Gallery...dunno still there or not..he got do this before...summore give detail explanation how to do...komplete dgn contengan ala kartun!!!