Bingo!
Finding ways to cover a light without putting yourself in danger isn't a loophole, it's perfectly ok for a few reasons, 1) There's nothing inherently wrong with covering a light, 2) You're not doing anything to the actual light, the bulb is still on. Finding a way to use something that looks and seemingly acts like an actual switch is a loophole, 1) There's something inherently wrong with doing an act that is weekday like, 2) Your action will eventually turn the bulb off.
Please note: I'm not a halachic authority in any shape, way or form, and I didn't study any of those items (or Hilchos Shabbos - Shabbos Laws - for that matter). I'm just commenting on the loophole part and attempting to differentiate between why one is and one isn't.