I recently spoke to Kathy Craven, a member of The Woodlands Photography Club about how a midnight opportunity to shoot some classic cars resulted in a series of stunning photographs!
Using a light painting technique, the final images are reminiscent of “op art”, the art of the optical illusion. In this instance, the movement of artificial light creates shapes and illusions in the dark, as well as midair suspended sculptural formations and graffiti-style markings. The results of moving LED lights are reminiscent of neon signs, popping with the brightest colors and dancing with an organic, rhythmic fluidity. Kathy tells me “It’s called “light painting”. What you’re doing is using LED lights or any light source, and you set your camera to long exposure, so that as the camera is taking the picture, it takes so many slides together it actually erases the person who is walking with the light. It’s fun, you never know how it’s going to turn out sometimes, you have to take a lot of photos to get the right effect. It has a lot to do with the light, how much light you have or don’t have.”
“Nighttime photography is always difficult,” Kathy tells me, but this was such a fun event that around 12 members showed up with their cameras to capture the moments. Kathy was previously a watercolor artist and her introduction to photography was taking reference photos for her paintings.
I spoke to Dan Love, a collector of classic cars and the owner of the 2011 Ford Mustang, Shelby GT500, featured in the photographs. This stylish, powerful car is red and has a white racing stripe on the side, with an interior finished in black and white leather. Dan did not partake in the project but has previously enjoyed photography as a hobby.
Joan Tilton is a former president of The Woodlands Photography Club and one of the participants in the light play event. If you are interested in joining a photography group in the area, Joan suggests -“There are two clubs in The Woodlands, The Woodlands Camera Club which meets at The Methodist Church, and The Woodlands Photography Club which meets at the Community Center. Both clubs originated from Club 35 which was a camera club in the early 1980's! Club 35 had very few members but met regularly, had a few contests and eagerly learned from one another! Because we shot film in those days, our local camera store, The Shutterbug, developed and printed our film and worked with us in many ways! Fast forward to our digital world today, the interest in photography has boomed not only with highly technical and expensive cameras, but with Smartphones as well!”
Currently 120+ members strong, The Woodlands Photography Club offers members workshops with visiting professional photographers, field trips, monthly inspirational photo prompts, pop-up photo opportunities as well as classes and guidance and an annual exhibition and competition. They have their own Facebook page and website – www.thewoodlandsphotographyclub.com
"Using a light painting technique, the final images are reminiscent of “op art”, the art of the optical illusion. The results of moving led lights are reminiscent of neon signs, popping with the brightest colors and dancing with an organic, rhythmic fluidity."