I’ve written numerous posts discussing automotive light painting. That includes the techniques and tips I believe will make your light painting most successful and the tools I use for light painting cars. Most of my light painting tools, including the Westcott Ice Light 2, my primary light source, have been in my repertoire for years. With the imminent release of the Ice Light 3, I thought it would be a good time to look back on the current Ice Light 2.

Spring is just around the corner, and if you live in a cold climate like I do, you will realize that car owners will be anxious to get their prized possessions out of storage and onto the open road. With a new season comes new opportunities to photograph. It’s a perfect time to review tips for successfully light painting a car for a successful photoshoot.

In car photography, light painting is a technique that involves using a light source to create illuminated images of your vehicle. Light painting can be utilized both outside and inside the vehicle’s cabin and offers a unique and creative approach to capturing the essence of the car’s design.

Earlier this year, I worked with Steele Mitsubishi in Halifax to photograph the current model of their flagship SUV, the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander. The Outlander is Mitsubishi’s highest-selling model, and the 2023 Outlander PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) improves over the 2022 model with a new design, improved interior, a 2.4L engine delivering more power, and a larger capacity battery, to name a few.

In early January, I photographed the flagship Genesis G90 for Genesis Halifax, and two weeks later, I returned to photograph the new G80, the Genesis sibling and one of the latest additions to the Genesis electric lineup. The Genesis Electrified G80 (yes, that’s what it’s technically called) is the latest electric offering from Genesis, as the 2023 model takes the mid-size sedan into the electric market.

Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph the 2023 Genesis G90 for Genesis Halifax. The newest G90 includes the recent design language that Genesis calls “athletic elegance,” which, amongst other features, includes the now recognizable crest grille and the ultra-thin, two-line headlamps. The design overall is not unlike the 2023 G80 besides the size, and without having both the G80 and G90 side-by-side, one could be mistaken for the other.

Car light painting can seem like a very involved process with significant investments in equipment, and it can be! No matter what type of photography you are into, you can spend considerable money on your gear. But the truth is, you can start your light painting journey with probably the camera you have, a tripod, and a light source. However, investing in a quality tripod and separate ball head is recommended.

When light painting a car, you will want to be sure you have the necessary equipment. You’ll also want a checklist covering the exposures you need so you do not forget any. We will cover those essential exposures (as well as optional) and look at some tips to remember before and during your photo shoot.