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Ok so a few of the things here have been posted, most using higher end camera with full creative controls, it isn't necessary Throughout this I used a five year old compact, though some of the pictures have been taken on the fuji because I didn't have the stuff lying about or to hand.
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Signing UpStep 1Your camera you say?
So have a mess about with the settings on your camera, what can you change?
Does it have a manual setting? If so you're in luck, this gives you loads of control over your photos, if not don't fret about it, you just need to take advantage of the presets in the camera such as night mode.
Do you have macro? It's a big help in taking close ups, especially those going towards instructables...
If it has macro does it have fixed or auto-focus, 99% of the time yes but many cameras do appear with two lens focus presets, usually you have to twist part of the lens or some such to use them though. Manual focus is also really great for close ups because sometime the autofocus is simply no good.
Zoom? Not a neccessity but a nice feature to have.
Ok now you should have an idea of what your doing having just hoked through most of the settings, you can probably see which instructions to follow for camera settings.
Does it have a manual setting? If so you're in luck, this gives you loads of control over your photos, if not don't fret about it, you just need to take advantage of the presets in the camera such as night mode.
Do you have macro? It's a big help in taking close ups, especially those going towards instructables...
If it has macro does it have fixed or auto-focus, 99% of the time yes but many cameras do appear with two lens focus presets, usually you have to twist part of the lens or some such to use them though. Manual focus is also really great for close ups because sometime the autofocus is simply no good.
Zoom? Not a neccessity but a nice feature to have.
Ok now you should have an idea of what your doing having just hoked through most of the settings, you can probably see which instructions to follow for camera settings.
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Really it just looks like a nutcase with a blazing coathanger!
View on black/larger:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davetreadwell/4468704844/lightbox/
You'll probably need to set your camera to manual focus mode. With the lights on, focus and compose your shot, and don't change the focus. Then, set the shutter time to a few seconds. Turn the lights off (nearly complete darkness is ideal) and take your picture while the subject moves his arms around. Now, this make for a nice, in-focus, but rather typical trail picture.
However, for an effect like the picture attached, you want to leave the flash on. By doing this, you get the frozen frame that is fully illuminated, but the trails still show up because they are the only source of light while the shutter is left open for the rest of exposure.
This picture was taken with a Canon A720IS, which allows quite a bit of custom control for a compact camera.
Don't be afraid to leave the AUTO setting on your camera! The fun parts lie elsewhere.
Kudos to my brother for posing.
get the close results that I need for the closeup work on coins that I do you should build the ir flashlight with 2 ir bulbs that helps at night
Awesome Tool Tip Instructable by the way, the first picture is always awesome, it came out so cool!