Barry Tanenbaum

Words matter.

Of course a writer's going to say that, but most photographers will agree that while the image carries the message, the words that accompany it can illuminate and interpret, and often increase the impact of the photograph. But...

Early in our talk, Sebastian Copeland mentions the relationship of art with nature, and how photographers who work outdoors end up loving the landscape and wanting to preserve the environment. He adds, “I’m fond of saying, ‘He who walks the land will become a warrior in its defense.’ It’s hard to venture into nature and the wild and appreciate the beauty of extraordinary landscapes and not feel a sense of responsibility to make sure they remain.”

The intriguing thing about lightpainting is you never know exactly what you’re going to get. And whatever you get, you won’t get it again. That’s part of the technique’s appeal: you’re creating a one-of-a-kind photograph.

Simply, a lightpainting photo is an image made with a handheld, constant light source in a dark room or environment. The camera’s sensor captures only what you choose to illuminate. Lightpainting images can range from relatively simple to fairly complicated. Striking photos can be created indoors with nothing more than a still life subject, a tabletop to put it on, and a small LED penlight to light it. Or you can think big: how about a mega-powerful spotlight illuminating prairie land in the Grand Tetons or a mesa in Monument Valley?