Vivid – Light Painting

Photographers capture light installations at the VIVID festival. In this workshop, we want to teach you to Paint with Light!

Light painting uses long exposures and handheld light sources to draw, sculpt, and paint directly onto your camera sensor. Orbs, trails, words, halos, and figures are created in the dark and captured in a single frame without editing. It’s a blend of photography, performance, and controlled chaos, fitting perfectly with a festival focused on moving lights.

Light painting is magical and fun; every photographer should try it. This session takes place in a lesser-known dark park near the Sydney Opera House, with the iconic Harbour Bridge as our backdrop.

In this workshop, you become the artist. The torch is your brush, the night is your canvas. The camera reveals things your eyes can’t see.

Come prepared to experiment, laugh, and create unique images.

What will we do?

• Learn camera settings for dark photography: long exposure, manual mode, and night photography rules.

• Experiment with torches, LEDs, glow sticks, and other light sources in long exposures.

• Paint light around people, objects, and each other: portraits, silhouettes, and abstract art.

• Review shots and learn from successful and unsuccessful techniques.

What we provide:

• Various light painting tools: Light Sticks, Torches, LED ropes, and more.

• Three professional Photo Guides to help you develop hands-on skills.

1. Colin Seton, an iPhone and Android phone photography specialist.

2. Alex Kess, a light painting tools and techniques specialist.

3. Shane Rozario, a photography techniques specialist for real-life applications. 

We’ll also introduce you to Light Painting and Long Exposure apps and filters.

Why during Vivid?

Light painting celebrates creativity, colour, and the joy of playing with light. The lively atmosphere and vibrant city vibe make it perfect for learning new skills. Light painting will change how you appreciate photography and light.

How will I benefit?

• Improve your understanding of long exposure and manual mode.

• Add a fun creative technique to your photography toolkit.

• Create unique in-camera images.

• Connect with other Sydney photographers who love photography.

All cameras are welcome: phone cameras, DSLRs, mirrorless, and film.

• A tripod is essential. (Contact us if you need to borrow one.)

• If you’ve never shot in manual mode, we’ll help you get started.

Who should attend?

• Beginners wanting to learn manual mode.

• Enthusiasts seeking something new and unique.

• Professionals looking for creative play.

• Vivid lovers wanting to explore beyond the Light Walk.

Your photo guides:

Alex Kess, Colin Seton, and Shane Rozario are professional photographers and experienced workshop guides who run photography adventures in Sydney.

This event will be limited to 20 spots.

Ready to play in the dark?

Alex, Colin + Shane