Light leaks have been trendy for a while now, and there are many different ways to create them. One way is to use a real light leak, but this is expensive and limiting. Using Photoshop allows you to create an infinite number of light leaks – for free! This article will show you how to create your own light leaks from scratch.
What are light leaks?
Light leaks are small holes or gaps in your camera body, lens, or film holder that allow light to enter the camera where it shouldn’t. They can appear as large patches of colour on your photo or as small dots, lines, or streaks of light. They can be incredibly beautiful and add a dreamy vibe to your images.
Some film cameras tend to have minor light leaks, especially when their seals begin to wear out over time. Light leaks are also common in plastic cameras, like Holgas and Diana Fisches.
But you don’t need an old film camera to get them! There are plenty of options for creating them with digital cameras, too — from simply holding up a torch to your lens to shooting through a transparent object like colored cellophane paper.
How are Light Leaks Created?
Light leaks can look like your camera was damaged—and depending on the image, it may have been.
The easiest way to cause a light leak is damage to a camera’s body. This can be as simple as an old film camera that has had too many film rolls run through it, and the plastic has worn away or cracked, allowing light in. Sometimes dust or dirt can make its way into the camera body and cause a leak, making it look like your image was burned.
In digital cameras, light leaks are often caused by a faulty shutter or lens that lets light seep in where it shouldn’t.
Light leaks can also happen when you’re shooting without enough light. If you’re shooting outside at night and there isn’t enough ambient light for you to shoot, the shutter may stay open for too long—causing a streak of light to be recorded onto the film or sensor. Since these streaks are from the environment around you, they tend to have an organic feel and shape to them, so it can be hard to replicate this effect digitally unless you find some stock photography of streaks.
Testing your Camera for Light Leaks
There are a few ways to test for possible light leaks:
1. Put fresh batteries in your camera and take out your film. You should be able to see a red light through the slot where the film goes in. If you can’t, that means there is a major issue with your camera. If you can see the red light, then continue on with the test.
2. Check where the film winds around in the back of your camera (where you loaded your film). See if there is any damage to that area. If so, use electrical tape (or regular tape) to cover up any holes or cracks.
3. With the top of your camera open and facing up towards the sun, use electrical tape (or regular tape) to cover up all areas where light might enter that isn’t supposed to, such as screws on top of the lens and around the camera and anywhere else visible from the top or bottom views of camera.
Creating Light Leaks in Your Images with the One-Light Method
The one-light method is a simple and straightforward way to create light leaks. The process involves shining a single light source through a colored sheet of plastic, lighting up the scene in front of your camera. This creates beautiful bursts of color that appear in the photo, looking like light leaks.
The one-light method can be used for all sorts of different photography genres — landscapes, portraits, still life, etc. You name it and the one-light method will work with it. It’s also incredibly simple to do and doesn’t require a lot of fancy or expensive equipment.
All you need is a light source, some colored plastic sheets, and your camera!
Incorporating Natural Light Leaks into Your Photos
Natural light leaks are those rays of bright light that come in through a window or door to illuminate an otherwise dark room. These beams can be used to create interesting effects and add depth to your photos.
If you’re shooting with a low-end digital camera, you don’t even need any special equipment: just look for an interesting light beam and compose your shot around it.
To take it up one notch, consider using a stand-in model or using yourself as a model. While the natural light leak will be the primary focus, adding in another element like a person can help emphasize the contrast between dark and light and provide context for the photo.
Creating a Double Exposure with a Subject and a Background Image
A double exposure image is one in which two exposures combine to create a single image. The most common example of this is combining a portrait with a landscape, creating an effect where the person appears to be standing in front of the scene.
Here’s what you need to know to create your own double exposure portraits:
1. The first thing you will want to do is find two images that work well together. Make sure that your subject is not wearing anything against the background or covering their eyes. You can also adjust the opacity of your images if they are too dark or bright.
2. Merge the two images by selecting both and clicking on the dropdown menu in your layers panel, and selecting “Create Clipping Mask.” Your subject image should drop down over your background image, like below:
3. Use a black brush to erase parts of your image that you want to see through to the background. If you want more to come through, use a white brush or lower your brush opacity for more subtlety.
How to Create Light Leak Effects Using Photoshop Actions
Today, with digital cameras, light leaks are usually created through photo editing softwares like Photoshop.
Here’s how to create your own light leak effects using Photoshop Actions:
1. Download a set of free light leak images you want to use
2. Create a new Action in Photoshop
3. Apply each light leak image as a new layer on top of your image
4. Adjust the opacity for each layer as needed to achieve the desired effect
5. Save your final image
Takeaway
Pushing your photos in a graphic direction can be a great way to stimulate creativity. It opens up a new way to express yourself visually and can add an extra layer of depth to your photographs. So give your photos a light leak, and see if it sparks creativity!
