Light Painter Introduction - Mart Barras - Interview Series #02

The lightpainting community is small and spread all over the world. A close association, which is perceived far too little in the world of photography. We want to change this. In order to bring you some artists closer, we asked some active artists to introduce themselves and to answer a few questions about light painting and their relation to it. To introduce you first to who is involved in the "Lightpainters United" project, we start our interview series with our curators.

Mart Barras

Mart Barras has been creating his inspiring light painting work since 2012. His pictures are often playful and look very futuristic. With stencils, lens swapping and kinetic camera movements, he creates his opulent pictures in a colorful way. If anyone knows how to play with the perspective, it is he. Often it takes a second look to recognize what is up or down. In cooperation, he always likes to visit Lost Places to make them appear in a new light, but many of his great pictures were created in a small space at home.

Please introduce yourself shortly. Name, Age and where you from etc.

I’m Martin Barras I’m 45 years old and an amateur lightpainter from the seaside city of Brighton and live in the south coast of the UK.

How and why did you start Light Painting?

I started back in 2012 when a friend from work who also is a Photographer showed me some Light painting he had done and I wanted to know more, prior to this I had seen some Light painting and was intrigued by it but didn’t know where to start, or what I really was.

What means Light Painting for you? What is yor motivation? What drives you?

Light Painting is a release from me, a way of unwinding, and expressing my creativity and alongside music production and my family is very much a love and a burning passion.

What gear do you always carry with you?

I always have a camera with me wherever I go, even if it’s not to go light painting. If it’s is Light painting, then again a camera and my camera rotation tool and a tripod, all essential and I wouldn’t leave home without them :)

What was your most memorable Lightpainting experience, event or moment?

Probably winning third place with my indoor LP in the Oviedo 2016 comp, was amazing to see myself, Chris Searle and Tim Gamble pick up all 3 spots. Second to that would be either the very first time I went light painting or the very first Lightpainters United meet up with was a very special time.

Who or what inspires you?

All The people I’ve met along the way in Light painting inspire me, especially Dan Whitaker, and Paul from Lace who I shoot with regularly and really enjoy their company and ideas and values that we share.

From the wider Lp world TCB, R-Digi and of course Tim Gamble and Chris Thompson his shooting partner they have all been massive inspiration and are lovely guys too to boot.

Also Mafu Fuma and Gunnar and Sven from Germany are all people I like and respect not only for their work but also as individuals and what they have achieved and aim to achieve in the LP world.

What is going to be the next Light Painting Tool you build or buy?

I’ve just 3D printed a version of Pala’s backlight scanner for a well know UK light painter, So that was the last tool I made for myself, other than a collapsable light wand for travelling. I’ve also backed the RGB critter colour torch which should be a great addition to my collection with any luck.

What is your workflow?

My workflow tends to be either a thought out and planned piece, which I’ll often sketch out initially and decide on tools and techniques for the different areas of the shot before shooting it or just turn up at a location and let the place and the items in that location speak to me, and hopefully spark an idea which also seems to work as well.

Do you have 3 Lightpainters you would like to have a colaboration with?

Well I’m lucky enough to have shot with Dan whose is one of my favourites pretty regularly over the last 4-5 years.

Very recently at Christmas I got to tick off one off the list in the form of Led Eddie, and before that in Berlin, Denis Smith so I guess R-Digi would be up there for me for sure, theres just so many cool people that I would love to shoot with it’s hard to keep the list to even 3 people.

What are your best or most favourite 3 pictures?

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What is your favorite Light Painting you have ever created.

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What is your favorite environment to shoot in?

Urbex, and industrial locations for me. it’s fascinating to see how nature reclaims these spots and the decay really does look futuristic and incredible when lit up, also I’m a sucker for a good tunnel too, that being said also forest are incredible at night :)

What are your favorite type of light paintings to create and why?

My favourite kind is indoor LP photography , especially as you have plenty of time to set up and think through all the options ensuring you get the best from that shot.

What is your favorite part about the Light Painting Art Form?

The meet ups, getting to share our passion with others who have the same passions is a great experience and helps keep the scene invigorated.

What did you do before getting into light painting?

I was quite interested in HDR photography but quickly grew out of that, music production is something else. I’m passionate about and enjoy, I have a synth collection to rival my torch collection, I possibly need some cheaper hobbies though. ha ha

What inspires and defines your creative style in light painting?

Lens swapping, camera rotation, digital stencils/ stencils and mirrors/ kaleidoscopes have all played a part in my work since early days and these things inspired me daily and will remain in my style as I enjoy using them and coming up with new ways to incorporate them in my work.

What vision do you have for the future of light painting?

I’d like to see more meet up where shooting together is the main priority, I like attending lectures but sharing our passion together and collaborating on images is the most fun for me so I hope that continues to grow and is more prominent in the scene.

Anything you would like to add?

Get out there and give it a try I think most of us started with very simple tools and equipment and you don’t need a lot to actually create a light painting.

All you’ll need is a phone or camera with bulb mode or app and a tripod and small torch. We’re a friendly bunch so feel free to ask any questions and I know we’ll all be more than happy to help anyone, most of all it’s great fun and I hope you’ll give it a go and experience that yourselves.

Cheers Mart

Thanks for taking the time for the interview and the inspiration mate.

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You would like to see more lightpainting here?

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