I spent Sunday freezing on the sidelines of the Chiefs/Chargers game, so when I wanted to have some photo fun this week, going out in the 8-degree weather didn't appeal to me. Instead I turned my thoughts inside and decided to do some light painting.

Eight years ago I was helping teach a digital workshop where Dave Black did a light painting demo. It was something he'd been doing for a while already (and is still one of the best in the world at it) and his session was on how easy it had become with the advent of digital cameras. He was right, and it's a lot of fun to boot!

You'll need a room that's dark - I use my workshop (or do it at night if all your rooms have windows) - a tripod, a camera that lets you set exposure manually and a flashlight. That's it. Collect some things that might make a nice still life - flowers, jewelry, old toys or in my case, some old climbing gear. You'll want your flashlight to be able to create a narrow beam, or wrap aluminum foil around the head to create a snoot for a spotlight effect.

Start with an exposure of ten seconds, F/11, Incandescent white balance and ISO of 200. Turn off the lights, trip the shutter, turn on the flashlight and start painting. That's all there is to it. It looks best if you only light small areas, and move the light around so that it appears you've got several light sources coming in at different angles. Check the results and adjust. That means that if it's too dark open the lens (aperture), perhaps to f/8 or f/5.6, or you could put more light into the scene. Too bright? Make the aperture smaller (F/16, F22?) or use less light.

Once you've mastered something simple like this, try a portrait next. Have a friend pose in the dark room, or even outside at night, tell them to hold very still and then start painting. It's a great way to have fun and do something new with your photography. And it's easy to share with friends - set up a room for light painting at your next party. Or get the kids together at the Fourth of July. You'll have to take the camera away to get people to leave!