Subterranean Radiance: A Light-Painting Session in Brno

Descending beneath the city streets into the vast and echoing space of the historic Water Tanks under Žlutý Kopec in Brno felt like entering a different dimension. This magnificent and surreal setting became the stage for a unique session during my Central European light-painting tour in May 2025. Joining forces with the talented local light-painter Michal Daneš and his extraordinary muse (and wife), Martina Danešová (discover their work on Instagram), resulted in an experience that transcends mere photography.

The stone pillars inside the underground reservoirs created a challenging yet incredibly atmospheric backdrop. Capturing those precise architectural details alongside our light trails required close attention. I chose an aperture of f/3.2 to ensure the complex masonry was beautifully rendered. Focus remained entirely on Martina who was simply exceptional in her custom-made red dress. Her ability to hold each pose flawlessly and without a single tremor is absolutely crucial for long-exposure photography and allowed the luminous creation to truly shine.

Beyond the technical aspects and the resulting imagery, this session highlighted what I value most about this specific art form. Light-painting is primarily a wonderful opportunity to meet nice people, share knowledge and have fun together. Michal and Martina welcomed me with extraordinary hospitality. They were polite and incredibly gentle with their time. Sharing our creative processes while exploring new ideas under the vaults of Žlutý Kopec was a joy. Spending some additional moments with their family added a genuine warmth to my visit that I truly appreciate.

Brno is a beautiful city that offers surprises at every corner and it is definitely a destination not to be missed. I am immensely proud of the unique work we created in such a memorable setting and I sincerely hope our paths cross again soon for another adventure.