26 March, 2011

The speed of light- graffiti art

They look like the Tron cars speeding through picturesque country settings.
But these ghost vehicles, created to look like they are travelling at speed, are the creation of two university graduates armed with just an LED key ring and a camera set to long exposure.
Each one takes artistic duo Marc Cameron and Mark Brown up to four hours to make in a painstaking process of refracting and reflecting light to paint the outlines of the cars.
The pair meticulously plans each picture down to the very last detail - including logos, body kits and shadows in puddles.
They created the impressive light graffiti art effect using picturesque Cotswold locations at dusk as a natural canvas on which to draw the iconic cars using the keyring.
RThey wave the LED light quickly through the air to 'paint' the cars in a similar way to how you write your name with a sparkler on Bonfire Night.
And by leaving the camera on a long exposure - that can last up to an hour - they can freeze the light trails left by the movement to make it look as though the cars are speeding along the roads.
Professional photographer Mark Brown, 26, from Cheltenham, said: 'By using extended exposures I am able to step in front of the lens and paint with light using the camera as a canvas.
The LED torch is my paintbrush effectively.
'People are usually blown away by it especially when they see a really iconic car recreated in such a spectacular way. It's not just car buffs who love them though, everyone can appreciate it as an art form.
'Everyone always wants to know the secret behind the technique but it is something of a trade secret.
'But I haven't met anyone to date who has anything negative to say. Even the cynics who think it is photo shopped still think it is impressive.'
The project was the brainchild of media entrepreneur Marc Cameron who enlisted the skills of friend and photographer Mark Brown to create the impressive collection of cars that any motor enthusiast would be proud to own.
At first they did it for fun but things soon spiralled as the project went viral - even attracting the attention of car legends Jeremy Clarkson and co.
Marc, 31, said: 'The top gear team loved the series from the word go - it's been great getting such high-praise for our work.
'The first one we thought was just going to be a bit of fun. But I always had a feeling it would become something bigger and better and it has just spiralled into this brilliant series.
'We are on our fourth series now. It's quite touching that people don't want it to stop - they just keep asking for more.'
Having created some of the most iconic cars on the planet - from a VW camper van to a Pagani Zonda racing car - the duo plan to embark on a new project tackling some of the newest motors in the world.
Marc said: 'It's got easier with time - the lines are a lot cleaner and clearer now.
'People have said that the last series was more visually stunning than the first so we are hoping to pull out all the stops in the next one and do something a little bit different.
'Light painting is the most awe-inspiring type of photography at the moment.
'There is a real synergy between the two - cars are an art form themselves so our work just seemed so natural to combine the two.'

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