Digital Release Date: A Beginner’s Guide to Automotive Light Painting
A Beginner’s Guide to Automotive Light Painting is finalized, and the eBook version will be released on Tuesday, January 20th. And the cost is only $18 CA! A print book is being considered; however, if I choose to produce a print version, it will take some time to prepare the files for physical book production. A physical book with production costs will cost more than the eBook.
A Beginner’s Guide to Automotive Light Painting is a practical, step-by-step ebook that teaches photographers how to create polished, professional car images using long exposures and handheld lights rather than complex studio setups. It is written for beginners who are comfortable with a camera but new to light painting, focusing on real-world workflows suitable for interior and basic locations rather than studios.
What Does the Book Cover?
The book walks through the complete process of planning and executing an automotive light painting shoot, from choosing a location and positioning the car to capturing individual exposures and blending them in post-processing. It emphasizes building a repeatable workflow so readers can move from random experimentation to consistent, controlled results.
You’ll learn how to prepare, scout simple locations, and set up a stable camera and focus in low light; how to shoot: capturing key angles (side, front, rear, wheels, details) as separate frames while moving a light source cleanly around the vehicle, and how to process: organizing files and combining exposures into a single final image, with guidance on common mistakes like uneven light, reflections, and missed areas.
If you have been wanting to learn about automotive light painting but feel intimidated by advanced car photography and want high-quality images, then this is for you. Instead of focusing on gear obsession, the book prioritizes technique, timing, and decision-making so readers can get strong results with modest equipment.
Drawing on over a decade of automotive light painting experience, I share lessons from real client shoots and personal projects into practical tips, checklists, and examples. The goal is to give readers the confidence to plan and complete their own light-painted car images, whether for personal projects, social media, or paid assignments.
Book Details
ePub and PDF eBook.
Length of digital book: 8 chapters, 140 pages.
Structure: Chapters covering fundamentals, gear, setup, shooting, and post-processing.
Core topics: What light painting is, how it works, and why smooth, consistent movement is crucial during each exposure.
Technical settings: How shutter speed, aperture, and ISO interact for automotive light painting in real-world conditions.
Practical sections: Gear choices, car and location preparation, handling complex subjects like dark cars and black wheels, and working with layered exposures.
The eBook will be released on Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 and will be available in the shop for only $18.
Availability: Sold through my online shop.
Print version: TBD