Write or Draw with Light!

Ever wonder how I made my avatar? or even how these guys (pikapika) make their movies?
Here's how!
(If you've got lightsticks, check out askacollegekid's light instructable!)
Materials:
Camera with long exposure capabilities (the longer the better)
Source of light (flashlights work the best)
Pitch black room (if you want a nice black background)

Note: Please excuse my room's messiness!

Subnote: I'd like to thank StepsoftheSun for inspiring me to make this Instructable =)

UPDATE!: Yesterday was the "annual" Science Olympiad paratay!

I brought a camera and some lights and we made some pretty nice pictures (added pics to the intro page)!

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Step 1: Set Up

Get your camera a nice place to sit and aim it at a spot about 10-15 ft away where you will easily be able to draw your picture.

Take a regular shutter speed shot in the light to make sure that your spot is in focus (see picture)

Set your camera's shutter speed (you'll have to set your camera for manual mode) - I use 30 seconds most of the time

Either turn on a time delay or set the shutter speed to compensate for the time it takes to walk 10-15 feet away.

Grab your flashlight and shut the lights out.

c3ralki1l3r says: Oct 16, 2012. 9:34 PM

I used a torch for this. The flame died a few seconds after D:

iahamed says: Jun 25, 2012. 6:46 PM

RC : Chopper

Antleredguy says: Jun 8, 2009. 8:18 AM

I took one of these one night when we had a bonfire... I think it turned out pretty good. I took this with a little kodak digital camera.

xilefakamot in reply to AntleredguyNov 8, 2009. 5:12 AM

Here's mine:

(Bonus points if you can guess my name)

jjones95 in reply to xilefakamotJun 5, 2012. 10:07 AM

felix

micromarketers in reply to xilefakamotDec 17, 2011. 6:57 AM

Your name begins with 'T' ends with 'M' and has an 'O' in between

R.A.T.M in reply to xilefakamotJun 30, 2011. 12:58 AM

is that photo shop

Toebak in reply to xilefakamotMay 27, 2011. 9:32 AM

Here is my scribe.. used a single led and a button cell.

dragonsniper in reply to xilefakamotMay 17, 2011. 1:42 PM

felix

the_ccandy in reply to xilefakamotApr 11, 2011. 7:53 AM

Rumpelstiltskin?

tatarik in reply to xilefakamotApr 10, 2011. 10:52 AM

tony

Senior Waffleman in reply to xilefakamotDec 26, 2010. 8:09 PM

tom, lol BONUS POINTS!!!!

Stevie89 in reply to xilefakamotJul 2, 2010. 10:06 AM

I think it's Apu Nahasapeemapetilon If so your on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apu_Nahasapeemapetilon

howto96 in reply to xilefakamotJan 15, 2010. 6:52 AM

umm.......is ur name tom

xilefakamot in reply to howto96Jan 15, 2010. 1:49 PM

How did you guess?

ammubhave in reply to xilefakamotApr 10, 2011. 8:16 AM

howto96: hey, i think you are a psychic.... congrats

Antleredguy in reply to AntleredguyJun 8, 2009. 8:19 AM

I forgot to say... I put the "Long Time Exposure" at 4 seconds I think it was and that was the only setting I changed.

reganbella says: Feb 25, 2012. 4:45 PM

Yay! this means I'm a genius......(Even though I can't figure out light drawing........)

monsterlego says: Sep 22, 2011. 11:56 AM

Omg, i love doing this!

vtotheieira says: Jun 30, 2011. 6:04 PM

Some light drawing i have done. The first one is an LED on a string which is spin while i also spin around to achieve a sphere. The second one is the same but with a strobing light which alternates colors. The final picture is of burning steel wool being swung around on a string.

Pankake says: Jun 30, 2011. 7:39 AM

Took these photos a year ago. Small LED light on a string. To get the spiral effect you pull the string, at a constant rate, through one hand to decrease the diameter of the circle.