Gallery: Conjuring Tornadoes of Light With LEDs and Hula Hoops
Martin Kimbell01Martin Kimbell
To include the stars of the night-sky, the exposure for this image was over 2 hours.
Martin Kimbell02Martin Kimbell
“I have different sizes and weights of hula hoops which create different effects," says Kimbell about his modded hula hoops.
Martin Kimbell03Martin Kimbell
Kimbell is happy to play around with pyrotechnics too.
Martin Kimbell04Martin Kimbell
"If it looks like the hoop went really far, it usually did. The hoop is pretty easy to throw far.” says Kimbell.
Martin Kimbell05Martin Kimbell
Kimbell uses the simplest tools: hula hoops rigged with LEDs he has wired himself.
Martin Kimbell06Martin Kimbell
Martin Kimbell has been making light-paintings since 2006.
Martin Kimbell07Martin Kimbell
Kimbell shoots both B&W and color on his trusty Bronica
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Resembling holograms, some photos are like a cross between The Blair Witch Project and Close Encounters.
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This image is a mere 30 second exposure.
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Kimbell's lights once startled, and then attracted the attentions of, a horse on Dartmoor.
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The stunning photographs have gone viral in the past few weeks, despite much of the work being years old.
Martin Kimbell12Martin Kimbell
“I’ve simply called the work 'Light art' when I've been pushed to give it a title. 'Light Tornadoes' didn't come from me,” says Kimbell. “I’ve heard a lot of people describe the patterns as tornadoes, but different people see different things.”
Martin Kimbell13Martin Kimbell
Kimbell doesn't consider this work as part of a series with any closure. He will be making these light artworks for as long as he is able.
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