Results of light paintings

Light painting by moving the camera is also called camera painting, is the antithesis of traditional photography. At night, or in a dark room, the camera could be taken off the tripod and used like a paintbrush. An example is using the night sky as the canvas, the camera as the brush and cityscapes (among other light sources) as the palette. Putting energy into moving the camera by stroking lights, creating patterns and laying down backgrounds can create abstract artistic images. Also known as "Camera Toss."

Making a light painting does not necessarily need to be done in a dark room or at night. Sometimes using artificial light, like LEDs and mobile phones, or through the limited sunlight beaming in a curtained room makes a shadowing effect. Using a mirror creates a double image, which adds up to a more inspired result.