How to Do Light Painting with a Smartphone

Light painting is an easy photography trick to implement with a broad range of applications. It just so happens, that light painting on your mobile phone is more straightforward than using a DSLR. You can get started in only a few minutes with the things you already have lying around.

Here’s how to light paint with a smartphone:

What is Light Painting?

Simply put, light painting is a general term that encompasses any photograph where you manipulate a light source while shooting a long exposure photograph. Light painting on your smartphone is doing all the same stuff with your mobile.

In most cases, the camera gets kept in one place (it is a long exposure, after all), and a light source is moved around within the frame of the photo. Sometimes, however, the camera itself is moved for even more nuanced effects – but that’s an advanced technique.

Light painting has four critical components:

1. A camera to capture the photo, of course.
2. The subject of the photo. It can be anything from a person, a product, or nothing – the light painting will be the subject.
3. A light source.
4. Darkness. (Spooky)

How to Light Paint with a Smartphone

The phrase “how to light paint with a smartphone” can be a little misleading. It could mean one of two things:

1. Take a picture with a traditional camera while painting light with your phone.
2. Take a picture with your smartphone, and while painting light with something else (unfortunately, traditional cameras are not great candidates for the painting part).

But we are Photos With Phones, so you could probably guess we’re going to go with number two.

Collect those critical components, and you’re technically ready. Before you get started, though, consider gathering some of this equipment that will make your life a lot easier.

Smartphone Tripod for Light Painting

With any long exposure photography, a tripod is pretty much mandatory. If the camera doesn’t remain completely still, the photo will be blurry, and the effect ruined.

Smartphone tripods are cheap, less than $20 in most cases. If you’re looking for a quality smartphone handheld, however, the MeFoto BackPacker Tripod is an excellent option for painting light on your smartphone.

• Between the low weight and folding size of the MeFoto BackPacker it’s a seriously great mobile phone tripod
• Did you know that you can turn this tripod into a 55″ full-size monopod?
• The MeFoto BackPacker contains nifty anodized aluminum twist locks that keep the tripod steady and durable
• At 2.54lbs, the BackPacker tripod is super-light – great for – you guessed it – backpacking

Also, if you’re like me, you don’t have friends to hold the camera for you. At least, not any friends willing to traipse around the city in the dead of night. Tripods aren’t really optional.

Smartphone Remote Camera Shutter for Light Painting

Another necessary piece of equipment is a remote camera shutter. If you have a buddy, they can take pictures for you while you’re painting. Otherwise, you’ll need the familiar comfort of a feelingless robot.

Remote camera shutters are something of a pain to use with most traditional cameras, but with phones, it couldn’t be easier. They simply connect via Bluetooth and are fully integrated (no apps necessary), ready to snap, record, and more with a handheld remote.

The Moment Bluetooth Remote is a great one we recommend:

• Features a simple one-handed, one-button design ideal for use for mobile smartphone remote capture
• Large ‘Take Photo’ button for easy shooting
• Easy to carry with integrated attachment cord, 19.4g weight, and small size (32mm W x 9.5mm T x 128mm L)
• Works up to 50 feet away from your smartphone
• CR32 battery – designed for watches – lasts for 500+ hours
• IOS compatible (not with Android smartphones)

But if you noticed in our other guides, many smartphone camera lens kits come with one of these bad boys—just something to think about.

Facilitating loneliness notwithstanding, a remote camera shutter is essential any time you’re taking a long exposure shot. The act of tapping your screen to start the exposure starts the whole process with vibrations. No Bueno.

If you want more info about remote camera shutters, we did an in-depth look at them in this article.

Setting up the Scene for Light Painting

Alright, you’ve got all your equipment and components of your shot together, but you aren’t painting light. That’s because now it’s time to set up the shot.

1. Your (smartphone) camera needs to be on a tripod with the scene in the frame.
2. Your scene needs to be dark. It doesn’t have to be pitch black (although that can lead to some really cool effects), but it has to be dark enough that a long exposure won’t brighten the image to the point of blinding.
3. You, or an assistant, need to have the light painting tool. The tool can be anything that emits light – a flashlight, a sparkler, a keychain LED, or a phone.

Try to eliminate as many light sources as possible. Overhead lights are an obvious one, but also move away from streetlights and turn off screens. During a long exposure, every light source is “magnified” and can impact the image – even if it’s out of the scene.

Need some instruction on how to take a long exposure on your phone? Check out this guide.

Now it’s time to light paint.

Light Painting Techniques

At an elementary level, the trick is just to shine light selectively. There are two primary methods:

Light Paint by Shining Light at the Camera

Ever seen those pictures of people running around with sparklers and there’s a big long trail of light? That’s this.

Point your light source directly at the camera, taking the long exposure. Keep it aimed there while you’re “painting”. Move it at a medium pace – not frantically and not too slow.

Light Paint by Illuminating the Subject

Instead of pointing at the camera, you’re directing the light source on the subject.

For this, move slowly and methodically. You want to illuminate the entirety of the subject, and you want to illuminate every part for approximately the same amount of time. If you miss a spot, it will be very apparent.

Don’t be afraid to move in front of the camera if necessary, just don’t stay too long.

Using Your Smartphone to Paint Light

We’ll assume you’re using two phones here – one to take the long exposure, the actual picture, and another to use as a light source.

There are loads of ways to use your phone for light painting. It’s an incredibly versatile tool.

1. Use the flashlight. Point it at the camera, take the picture while wiggling it around. Yay, there you have light painting.
2. Take a screenshot of a white screen (or any other color). Have that image open and use the front of your phone to shed light on the subject.
3. Use a dedicated light painting app. There are some pretty cool ones. They can emit solid colors, rainbows, or any pattern of colored light you want. They can strobe for neat effects. Some apps will even let you type a message that it will spell while you’re moving your phone!

Light Paint is an imaginatively named iOS app that has the above features.

For Android, check out Lightbrush. If you want tips on using your Android to light paint, then check this out.

Light Painting Tips

• Ideally, your body won’t show up in the long exposure. The best way to accomplish this is to keep your body moving as quickly as possible – and in different places. Also, try to keep light off of yourself. Wearing dark clothes helps.
• Experiment with the angle of the light source. Light from above, below, and straight on the subject can make for differing shadows and dramatic effects.
• Use different colors!
• Keep your ISO low to reduce grain. All the light you need should get painted in!