Monthly Archives: January 2013

Brown Mountain Gatehouse Light Painting

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Brenda and I arrived extra early on a frigid Saturday afternoon at the gatehouse. I had to get the camera angle just right, and Brenda was lining up where people would be standing. We were also meeting the chief ranger, Stuart West, and he was allowing us access to the gatehouse for lighting purposes. We had plenty of time to get everything in order outside, and then turn on all the lights inside the gatehouse to ensure the yellow glow in the windows. People started arriving, and we realized there was really not too much to do to get them in place other than having them stand behind the line we set up. Boy, was it cold!

The preshot:

Brown Mountain Gatehouse Light Painting Acadia National Park PreShot

After a few adjustments of lights (Mary’s bright light along with Carol’s were too much for the face of the house), here is the final shot:

Brown Mountain Gatehouse Light Painting Acadia National Park
We were all excited that Stuart allowed us to have our drawing and snacks inside the warm gatehouse. It was a perfect night to have a warm shelter right there!
Joel won the extra large print of Stanley Brook Bridge. Joel and Jen have been light painters since the very first bridge, and we were pleased that he won the print.
The thermoses of warm drinks that Brenda brought went fast, along with the raspberry bars she baked.

Brown Mountain Gatehouse Light Painting Acadia National Park Painters

The project continues to grow with 15 new folks.  Some of them being the oldest light painters (Julie and Pat Krevans). In all we had, 38 light painters for evening. Lili isn’t pictured because she helped light the gatehouse during the portrait.

Stanley Brook Bridge Light Painting

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Snowshoes helpful, not required. That’s what we told folks after we checked out the snow conditions a few days before the shoot (scouting link).

Plenty of folks came, and lots of them were wearing their snowshoes. We were pleased to see that the snowy “frosting” was still on the bridge. There were a few more tracks in the snow, but mostly the scene was undisturbed.

I set up my camera in the new location on the north side of the bridge, then actually used my second camera to snap a few shots of people as they arrived.

Stanley Brook Bridge Light Painting Acadia National Park

 

The preshot:

Stanley Brook Bridge Light Painting Acadia National Park

Word is still spreading, and we continue to have new folks at every shoot. 10 first time light painters tromped through the snow for this shoot. We hid people in and behind the barrels, then rearranged one or two people for the final shot. There were plenty of flashlights on the face of the bridge too, and Carol lit all the trees in the background with her very bright light.

Here’s the final shot. I must admit, this is my new favorite:

Stanley Brook Bridge Light Painting, Acadia National Park

After I saw that I had a great shot, I tried a new technique: a video clip from the same position. The light painters weren’t aware that a video was being shot, so this is an authentic “light painting”. Click on the window below to watch the video.

 

Thanks to all 38 light painters who helped create this fantastic image. I only counted 37 in the photo. I wonder if Charlie was hiding behind someone?

Stanley Brook Bridge Light Painters Acadia National Park

We drew three names of people who weren’t present, then Alice won the Duck Brook Bridge photo. Yeah Alice! Brenda baked a family recipe, Black and White Bars, which might have been a little frozen by the time we ate them, but were enjoyed by all. Once again, Sean had his stove to make hot chocolate.

 

 

A Snowy Scouting Mission

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On New Year’s Day, Brenda and I strapped on our snowshoes to assess the conditions for our next shoot at Stanley Brook Bridge, since there had been two significant snowfalls after our original scouting mission. The area was truly a winter wonderland, with snow clinging to all the trees. There was a single set of snowshoe tracks, so the area was relatively untouched. The bridge was beautiful! On the north side, the snow clung to every stone, and filled the vertical cutouts at the railing. During our original scouting mission, we picked a site from the south side of the bridge, down across the small stream. We couldn’t even find the site with all the snow. And some of the snow had melted from the south face of the bridge. So we scouted out a new vantage point from the north.

Here’s the shot:

Stanley Brook Bridge Light Painting Acadia National Park

I was concerned the snow would melt before the scheduled bridge shoot, four days later. Brenda suggested that we try to light paint the bridge tomorrow evening. I started rabidly calling the light painters for an impromptu bridge shot on Jan 2nd, the day everyone returns to work and school. I could only find a couple of folks on such short notice. We would have to wait until Saturday and cross our fingers hoping for cold, clear days without any rain or melting.