Step by step

Let your light take flight

Pop a stencil on your softbox to create a butterfly light trail

01 Make your stencil

Before heading out, print out a basic shape (we used a butterfly) in white on a black background, twice. The flash light will penetrate the white area, but not the black. Tape the two printouts together, then to your softbox, with the shape facing the flash.

02 Lock the focus

Wait until evening, or find an underground location with an interesting wall to shoot against. Set up your tripod, and focus on the wall. You may need a torch or similar to help you do this, but once autofocus is achieved, switch to manual to lock it in place.

03 Let them fly!

Set the shutter speed to 10 secs, at ISO100, with an aperture that allows the background to be seen. (We used f/11.) Set your Nikon’s self-timer, press the shutter release and walk in front of the camera. Walk towards the lens, firing the flash until you exit the shot.