THE PHENOMENON CONTINUES!
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it’s a Ball of Light.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of chatting with Denis Smith /artist/denis-smith - the latest artist to join our stable. Denis is a man with energy, artistry and an affinity for light. He has developed a sophisticated (and secret) photographic technique which requires scampering around the South Australian countryside under the light of a full moon. The moonlight is used to create long exposure light art with stunning effects.

“I love it.” says Denis. “Some of my favourite images have come as a complete surprise, just when I considered the conditions to be less than perfect.”

This sense of experimentation is obvious in Denis’s work. I get the impression that creating these spectacular light images is fun, rewarding and exploratory for Denis.

“Many people assume I’m doctoring these images digitally, but I’m not. There is no Photoshop at all involved; I work with the raw image. I use the natural moonlight and a range of colours to create the ball. I create something real, yet unreal.”
 

WHERE IS THE BALL OF LIGHT NEXT?
“I don’t know. I have loads of ideas for new locations; what frustrates me is having to wait for the next full moon.”
Nobody knows where it may pop up, sometimes not even Denis.

“That’s what makes this work so much fun. Sometimes I improvise with the spots I am working in, just to see what surprising outcomes are possible.”

Many of the photos have an electric, ethereal quality which brings a new meaning to the places Denis chooses for the photos. Having worked in the photographic industry myself I can’t deny the brilliant technical skill involved. I ask Denis if it takes a long time to set up his camera for the shoot.

“Yep, it can take a bit of time and several visits to assess the suitability and light qualities for a location.”
Denis goes on to tell me that he sometimes spends all night trying to capture the ultimate image, especially when the elements are all just right for the photos. Each time I see Denis’s latest images, I find something even more captivating with the work he is producing.
 

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE BALL OF LIGHT?
A big smile erupts onto Denis’s face: “Who knows, the Pyramids, the Grand Canyon...maybe even Rundle Mall.”

One thing is certain; Denis has created a fantastic and inspiring way to use light and photography in some of the most beautiful locations in urban Adelaide and South Australia.

Denis Smith’s Light Art Photography continues to visit local venues and landmarks in and around Adelaide. The incredible ‘Ball of Light’ has been turning up in familiar and unexpected spots creating a wonderful sense of presence wherever it goes!
 

HAVE YOU SEEN IT TRAVELLING YET?