visualizing invisible electromagnetic fields with light paintings

light paintings of invisible electromagnetic fields
all images © luke sturgeon

conceived during an experimental imaging workshop at CIID in copenhagen, interaction designers designer luke sturgeon and shamik ray have experimented on how to physically visualize the invisible phenomenon of electromagnetic fields. using long exposure photography and stop-frame animation, the project reveals the EMF’s emitted from objects like portable computers and old tape-decks–visualized through colorful light. utilizing a custom android app coded in processing, the software enabled sturgeon and ray to draw and map frequencies and corresponding wavelengths of EMF’s with a hacked smartphone using built-in magnetic sensors. to render the color streaks of light radiation from each of the devices, long exposures were taken in a pitch black room, capturing the reaction between the magnetized phone and each electrified object.

visualizing electromagnetic fields
video courtesy luke sturgeon

the light drawings physically visualize the phenomenon of electromagnetic fields

using long exposure photography and stop-frame animation, the project reveals the EMF’s emitted from objects like computers

special software enables one to draw and map wavelengths of EMF’s with a hacked smartphone using built-in magnetic sensors

color streaks of light radiation captured as a long exposure

color streaks of light radiation

set up with camera rig