The glowing orb, a perfect floating sphere of light, is the shot that hooks most people on light painting. It looks like CGI and takes about five minutes to learn. This guide from the team at Ants on a Melon covers the gear, the exact camera settings, the spin technique, a few variations, and how to fix the mistakes everyone makes at first. It is a deeper dive on the orb from our light painting tutorials.
What You Need
- A camera with manual or Bulb mode (a phone with a long-exposure app works).
- A tripod.
- A light on a string. We use the RGB Critter BT on a short cord so you can pick any color, but any small bright light works to learn.
- A dark space, indoors or out.
Camera Settings
- Mode: Manual or Bulb
- Shutter: 20 to 30 seconds (long enough to finish a full turn)
- ISO: 200
- Aperture: f/8
- Focus: manual, pre-focused where you will stand
- White balance: Daylight
The Technique, Step by Step
- Tie your light to a string about 30 to 40 cm long and choose one bright color.
- Stand on the spot you pre-focused. Start the exposure (use a 2-second timer or remote so you do not shake the camera).
- Spin the light in a steady vertical circle at your side, keeping the same speed and the same arm position.
- While spinning, slowly rotate your whole body a full 360 degrees on the spot.
- Finish the complete turn before the shutter closes. Stop, and check the back of the camera.
That is it. The vertical circle draws the sphere; turning your body wraps it all the way around into a ball.
Getting a Perfect Circle
- Even speed beats fast. One smooth, complete rotation looks better than three rushed ones.
- Keep your arm and the string length constant so every pass traces the same diameter.
- Turn your body at a steady rate that finishes exactly one full circle by the end of the exposure.
Variations to Try
- Orb beside a person: have someone stand still just outside the spin; the floating orb next to a sharp subject is the classic look.
- Color-shift orb: set the RGB Critter BT to a slow color cycle so the sphere fades through hues.
- Orb in a location: place it over water, a trail, or a cityscape for context and reflections.
- Floating orb: shoot from a low angle so the sphere appears to hover in mid-air.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Gap in the sphere | Turned too fast or did not finish the rotation | Slow down; match your turn to the shutter time |
| Wobbly, uneven ball | Spin speed or arm position changed | Keep one steady speed and a fixed arm |
| You appear in the shot | Light clothing or stood still too long | Wear black and keep moving |
| Orb too dim or too bright | Light brightness or ISO off | Adjust brightness in the app, or drop ISO to 100 |
FAQ: Light Orbs
How do you make a light orb in photography?
Spin a light on a string in a steady vertical circle while slowly turning your body a full 360 degrees, all during one long exposure on a tripod.
What settings do I use for light orbs?
Start at a 20 to 30 second shutter, ISO 200, f/8, manual focus, Daylight white balance, in a dark space.
What light is best for orbs?
A small, bright, single-color light on a string. An app-controlled light like the RGB Critter BT lets you change the orb's color and brightness easily.
Why is my orb not a full sphere?
Almost always because the body turn did not complete in time. Slow the turn so one full rotation finishes as the shutter closes.
You might also find these guides useful:
