To include the stars of the night-sky, the exposure for this image was over 2 hours. Martin Kimbell
To include the stars of the night-sky, the exposure for this image was over 2 hours.
“I have different sizes and weights of hula hoops which create different effects," says Kimbell about his modded hula hoops. Martin Kimbell
“I have different sizes and weights of hula hoops which create different effects," says Kimbell about his modded hula hoops.
Kimbell is happy to play around with pyrotechnics too. Martin Kimbell
Kimbell is happy to play around with pyrotechnics too.
"If it looks like the hoop went really far, it usually did. The hoop is pretty easy to throw far.” says Kimbell. Martin Kimbell
"If it looks like the hoop went really far, it usually did. The hoop is pretty easy to throw far.” says Kimbell.
Kimbell uses the simplest tools: hula hoops rigged with LEDs he has wired himself. Martin Kimbell
Kimbell uses the simplest tools: hula hoops rigged with LEDs he has wired himself.
Martin Kimbell has been making light-paintings since 2006. Martin Kimbell
Martin Kimbell has been making light-paintings since 2006.
Kimbell shoots both B&W and color on his trusty Bronica Martin Kimbell
Kimbell shoots both B&W and color on his trusty Bronica
Resembling holograms, some photos are like a cross between The Blair Witch Project and Close Encounters. Martin Kimbell
Resembling holograms, some photos are like a cross between The Blair Witch Project and Close Encounters.
This image is a mere 30 second exposure. Martin Kimbell
This image is a mere 30 second exposure.
Kimbell's lights once startled, and then attracted the attentions of, a horse on Dartmoor. Martin Kimbell
Kimbell's lights once startled, and then attracted the attentions of, a horse on Dartmoor.
The stunning photographs have gone viral in the past few weeks, despite much of the work being years old. Martin Kimbell
The stunning photographs have gone viral in the past few weeks, despite much of the work being years old.
“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 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.”
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. Martin 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.
When Martin Kimbell goes into the British countryside at night to make photographs, he tries to warn the locals first. It seems wise, given that the method he uses to make his stunning images—lobbing a hula hoop wired with LEDs high into the air—might lead some to wonder if an alien invasion is afoot.
“I’m sure I’ve freaked out a few people who have happened to walk by at the wrong time,” Kimbell says.
Looking at pictures, you’d think they were shot digitally, but Kimbell is loyal to his Bronica. The photos were made in-camera using long exposures. Some take a few seconds. Others, like those that include the movement of stars across the night sky, take a few hours. Kimbell will use a digital camera to check composition and lighting but is adamant that the silkiest images come from film.
“I can leave the shutter open for as long as I want without worrying about the quality degrading or my battery running out,” he says.
Kimbell, 26, started experimenting with light and photography when he was 17. Back then he toyed with objects like torches and cold cathodes but eventually stumbled onto a hula hoop. He realized it would be the perfect medium for lights, so he wired some LEDs and taped them on. It’s been his preferred tool ever since.
Kimbell’s fascination with lights was also sparked by the work of Stu Jenks. This image in particular. When Kimbell first saw it, he was determined to figure out Jenks’ technique, then repeat and modify it.
“I had no idea how he created the images at first. I never thought it was Photoshop or photo manipulation but at the same time I simply couldn’t get my head around how he had created some of the patterns,” Kimbell says.
Nowadays, Kimbell has various sizes and weight of hula hoops. Each creates a different effect. He’s been posting the results to his Flickr page for years. For the photos where the pattern seems to stretch on, Kimbell just throws the hoops. He’s had to work on his aim over time, but he says he’s gotten better, which helps his composition.
When people see Kimbell’s work, they sometimes refer to the patterns he creates as light tornadoes. Or they group the work into the genre of light painting. He refrains from titles and doesn’t even consider the photos a true series.
“To me it is just a style of photography,” he says. “I often refer to it as light painting, but I don’t really consider it to be true light painting. To me, that describes a photograph where someone has drawn with light, or painted light onto a surface”
Whatever category they fall into, the images have proven popular, and even gone viral online. This Is Colossal, PetaPixel, Lost At E-Minor, Boing Boing, DIY Photography and VICE all have featured the work, landing Kimbell on the map as an up and coming photographer.
“I’ve had more interest in the last two weeks about my work then I’ve ever had before,” says Kimbell. “It really came out of nowhere.”
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