Good day to all the shutterbugs out there. Night Photography Week on Creative Live ended yesterday. If anyone missed the free classes, there is an on demand pass available for each class for $39 or a Night Photography Package for $179. I highly recommend Gabriel Biderman's Night Photography Fundamentals or Matt Hill's Portraits At Night. These classes offer an excellent and thorough explanation of what is needed to start creating with a camera at night.

One of my favorite techniques learned was night painting. The technique involves leaving the shutter open and using a bright light, such as a flashlight, in order for light to become the paint. You most likely have seen this technique done with sparklers or a flashlight. Yesterday, I received a remote switch and I was bursting to get started. I originally set up the camera on my roof to capture the full moon only to find the Bay Area fog had rolled in at the worst possible time. So, I tried night painting last night on the roof. Here are some shots.

Cool right? Now, you are thinking "Well, that's neat but I don't own a SLR camera. I'm not going to be able take these neat shots." Good news! There are smart phone apps available for downloaded powerful enough to create night painting. I haven't tried either but I hear Slow Sutter Cam or Night Cam Pro for the i-Phone are a good start for very basic night photography shots. Today create night painting and make yourself a lady or gentleman of the night!

Until tomorrow shutter bugs.

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