Light painting squares

For most people who follow my work, the word light painting instantly brings to mind the iconic tubes I've become known for. But there's another tool in my kit—one that’s far simpler in design, yet infinitely more complex to master: the Light-painting Squares.

Light-painting square images, from 2012 to 2025. With Kim Henry, Lindsey Stirling, Stéphanie Paquet, Derek Hough, Mathilde Heuzé, Von Wong, Viviane Audet and Julia Stewart

This tool has been with me since 2012. At first glance, it's deceptively minimal: a piece of holographic film wrapped around a flashlight. No elaborate mounts, no custom-built hardware. Just light, reflection, and movement. But in the world of light painting, simplicity doesn’t mean ease. In fact, the square demands more from the artist—more precision, more control, more presence in the moment.

With the Light Painting Square, everything you see in the frame is created during a single long exposure. It’s just me, the camera, and the light I hold in my hand. That one tool becomes my brush, my key light, my background fill, and the spark of imagination that turns an empty frame into something surreal.

Holding the square with the flashlight… seems a little bit like holding a taco 😆

Instructions

To create images with the Light-painting Squares, start with the following camera settings as a baseline:
Shutter speed: ~8 seconds
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 200

These settings may vary depending on the power of your flashlight. I personally use a 2000-lumen light, so adjust accordingly if yours is brighter or dimmer.

Wrap the square around your flashlight and hold it like a taco, with the reflective side facing inward. When you begin your exposure, wave the light around your subject to illuminate them. Important: do not point the flashlight directly at the subject. The magic comes from the light bouncing off the inner part of the square, which creates both the beautiful light trails and the soft, sculpted lighting on the body.

Make sure to only light your subject once per exposure. If you illuminate them more than once, any small movements can cause motion blur, since it’s nearly impossible for your subject to stay perfectly still for the entire duration.

Before starting a shot, test your light on your subject to find the right angles and ensure the reflection is flattering. In my workflow, I usually start by lighting the subject first. Once that’s done, I optionally add light traces around them—always making sure not to hit the subject again with direct or bounced light during the same exposure.

With a bit of practice, you’ll get a feel for the rhythm, angles, and flow. It’s all about finding harmony between movement, timing, and the light itself.

Light painting squares from three angles, with Yui Sugawara

In studio or outdoors

Over the years, the Light Painting Square has traveled with me across countless landscapes. I've used it in the quiet of the studio—against stark black or glowing white backdrops. But I’ve also taken it into the wild: over salt flats at night, by the rivers, and beside silent lakes under the stars. Each environment changes how the light reacts. Each space brings new color choices, new opportunities for contrast and harmony.

I carry a set of different colors with me—each one producing a distinct light signature depending on the background and ambient reflections. Choosing the right one is part of the art. There’s no one-size-fits-all. Just like a painter selects their palette to match the mood, I select my square based on the feeling I want to evoke in that moment.

Why It Matters

In a world overflowing with instant images and quick edits, the Light-painting Squares is a return to craft. It forces slowness, patience, and presence. It creates visuals that feel alive—not because of what they show, but because of how they’re made. There's a raw honesty in it. A photo created this way can't be replicated with a filter or a plug-in. It has to be performed.

Where to find?

Don’t purchase anything from me! You can get plenty of colors from arts and craft stores (Joann, Micheal’s, DeSerres, etc). Just look for these square sheets.

Now why am I making my own squares instead of using these low cost sheets?

My favorite colors are Sugar, RainbowTrout, RoseBronze and Alien (in that order). You’ll find all of these in Shapable (paper) and Waterproof (plastic) versions on https://lightpainting.store/products/squares