Physiograms - Using light to "paint" lines onto film - In a darkened room exposing film to sharp points of moving light to create unique patterns of light on film (very basic definitions).

These images require long exposure times and the ability to lock open the shutter. To some extent you can get this effect with moving lights and just long exposure times. We have all seen these types of images. An example was my submission to the September challenge. The moving cars created this type of movement lines.

My question is this: With most Prosumer digital cameras and point and shoot cameras there is no way to lock open the shutter (not the case with full body digital SLR's). How then can a person using a digital camera create this effect?

In a book by Lee Frost (The Complete Guide to Night & Low-Light Photography) he has a small section on using different types of light to paint a photograph. One example is using a penlight to "trace" the outline of shoelaces (page 181 if you have the book), and the ambient light creates a wonderful effect. In others he uses sparklers and other sharp light sources.

With the limitations of Prosumer and lesser digital cameras is this even possible? If it is possible, how can I achieve this type of effect?

Being a total amateur, I had to make choices when buying a camera. I chose digital for a lot of reasons: overall costs, flexibility, and ability. I know that I have talent with Photoshop and that I can fix a lot of imperfections. Other main reasons are that I don't have the resources to develop film, the space for a dark room, nor the money to have someone develop it for me. Hence I am limited to digital. I also understand that there are limitations to digital; I just refuse to accept limitations! I do things in my life that can't be done because no one ever told me they couldn't be done!

Am I pushing the envelope a bit too far on this one?

Magick Michael
aka zhounder