Screenshots in Time
Galaga
Two years ago I captured some photos of various videogames using the long exposure technique. I was mainly interested in the idea of light painting and the patterns that would emerge from all the dancing pixels. In addition to the dazzling array of lights, I noticed that each shot told a story.
The intensity of a boxing match in Mike Tyson’s Punchout! is captured in a way standard screenshots and movies cannot. While we can feel the impact of the blow from a well shot photograph, the barrage of punches in a long exposure shot turns the bout into a supernatural feat.
Galaga transformed more into a traditional light show. Many of the graphics remain firmly planted in 2D, though the legions of sprites toward the top of the image begin to give the illusion that they are breaking into the third dimension.
The ghosts in Ms. Pac-man begin to take on a more see-through, apparition-like appearance with eerie colored trails of light filling up the pathways.
I apologize for the image quality, this was more of an experiment for me. In addition to these, I took a photograph of Bubble Bobble, but it’s not quite ready for display at the moment. I would like to do Mario Bros. and Balloon Fight in the future. Are there any games you’d like to see shot?
December 8th, 2008 at 2:54 am
As we discussed earlier, I really like the Punch Out photograph. The image really tells a story. Little Mac’s image has a tight nucleus, and you can see he simply bobbed left and right, where as Glass Joe’s nucleus is spread rather wide; not able to to deflect Little Mac’s blows deftly. You can see a couple trails where Glass Joe almost loses, and then: BAM! he’s down.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Thanks for post. Nice to see such good ideas.
December 18th, 2008 at 8:16 am
First of all congratulation for such a great site. I learned a lot reading article here today. I will make sure i visit this site once a day so i can learn more.
January 24th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
[...] back a netfriend of mine posted some long exposures of some videogames. I thought that they were neat, so I took some as well. [...]
December 14th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Hey - I found this oage by mistake. I was searching in Google for Antivirus software that I had already purchased when I found your site, I have to say your site is pretty cool I just love the theme, its amazing!. I don’t have the time this minute to totally read your site but I have bookmarked it and also will sign up for your RSS feeds. I will be back in a day or two. Thanks again for a awesome site.
December 18th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Hiya!. Thanks for the blog. I’ve been digging around for info, but i think i’m getting lost!. Google lead me here - good for you i suppose! Keep up the good work. I will be popping back over in a few days to see if there is any more info.