Simon Caplan reveals torch-lit, Renaissance-inspired still life techniques using DIY torches, long exposures and dramatic light painting.

What if you could paint with light? Simon Caplan LRPS — a former journalist turned still-life photographer — does just that in Out of the Dark. Armed with nothing fancier than a handheld torch and long exposures, he sculpts everyday objects into moody, painterly images that owe as much to Caravaggio as to modern light-painting.

Simon will guide you through still life’s journey from classical painting to today’s studio setups, sharing easy-build lighting rigs, composition tricks and layering techniques for deep shadows and rich highlights. Along the way, he’ll reveal real-world tips on subject selection, DIY stands, avoiding overexposed hotspots and preserving tonal depth in post-processing.

Whether you’re just dipping your toes into studio work or looking to discover new creative approaches, this session will equip you with the vision and technical know-how to transform everyday objects into dramatic, painterly photographs.