Sometime it is good to give the digital a rest and go back to “old school” techniques. This Make tutorial will show you how to make a pinhole camera. It also has a few other tutorials such as a wide format pinhole camera. Also you can find some others if you go over to Instructables.com
I was told of a new program called Skitch. It seems to be a mini image editor with the ease of use placed where most casual users will need it. It allows capture screenshots and export images quick to your blog , email, or chat client. I dont know if it will cost anything if released. But seeing their top software is $25 I would expect this to cost something after the beta. Write in if you have used this before.
There is a great Flickr group showing off painting with light. They even explain what you need to create these. From their site
GEAR
this is a small collection of flashlights, biking-lights and flashing LED lights they all work with batteries so that you are mobile you also get nice results with fireworks & torches .
there are 3 different type of lights we use:
xenon: makes a warm golden light.
LED: makes a thin precise line.
cold cathode: thick line.but the best results you get by experimenting, use filters and things witch reflect light.
HOW TO DO IT.
this are the basics:
to get the best results you need a tripod. the exposure should be around 10-30 sec. or longer if needed. stay in front of the camera and do your writing.
to not overexpose set the camera to about iso100, and close your aperture as much as possible. if there is still too much light you might have to use a nd-filter.
it is always nice to integrate the surrounding into your picture.
This magic pool allows people to stay under water for as long as they want. No need to come up for air. Some commenters think they have figured out the source of the mystery but I still believe it is due to magic.
Seriously though it is you can find this exhibit at the Kanasawa 21st Century Modern Museum of Art. More information can be found at the Leandro Erlich website.