How to Create Breathtaking Long Exposure Photography

Long-exposure photography is a powerful and timeless technique that can create mesmerizing photos. While it requires specialized equipment, the results are well worth the effort.

Whether you’re shooting light trails from cars or blurred reflections on water, many ways exist to create beautiful long-exposure photos. The key is to experiment with different locations and conditions.

Location

Long-exposure photography works best in dim or low-light conditions. Choosing a location with movement and a subject that stands out is important. For example, a waterfall or a city skyline can make an impressive subject, especially when photographed at night.

Other interesting subjects include light trails, which look like long streaks of colorful light. These are usually created by moving vehicles. A good place to shoot this is a busy road or train station.

Another interesting idea is photographing smoke, which can be captured using a long exposure. Smoke looks beautiful against a dark sky, and the effect of the smoke being blurred creates a mysterious image. Amusement parks are also great locations for long-exposure photos, as they often have things like Ferris wheels and carousels that can be photographed at night.

Camera

Long-exposure photography requires a camera that can capture long durations of time and an ND filter. DSLR or mirrorless cameras are ideal. This style of photography is popular for creating light trails. Learn from experts like Meg Bitton.

It is also important to use a tripod so that the camera can remain still during the long exposure. A self-timer or shutter release will help to prevent any shaking that could ruin the photo. Some photographers even find that placing a bag of sand or uncooked rice on the camera helps to keep it steady.

One of the most exciting things about long-exposure photography is that it allows you to creatively experiment with motion and stillness. For example, if you are photographing a busy street scene, you can set your camera up for a long exposure to show the movement of people while blurring out the cars and other moving elements.

Shutter speed

The camera’s shutter speed determines how long the sensor stays open to capture light. It can be used as an artistic tool to freeze or convey motion in a photo. In long-exposure photography, the shutter is often open for a very long period (e.g., five seconds to thirty seconds). This can cause moving elements of a scene to blur slightly. A tripod is often used to stabilize the camera to minimize unwanted blur.

Water is a classic subject for long exposures because it looks dreamy and soft with a slow shutter speed. Try capturing photos at sunset or sunrise to add a beautiful glow to the water.

You can capture mesmerizing light trails from cars driving using a long exposure. These bright streaks of light can look striking in black and white. Amusement parks are also great locations to photograph light trails from Ferris wheels, merry-go-rounds, and other attractions.

Aperture

Long exposures can be especially eye-catching in black and white. Bright streaks of moving water or fading clouds stand out against the dark background, and the tonal contrast can make your photo feel moodier and more dramatic.

Oceans, waterfalls, and rivers are classic subjects for long-exposure photography. Because of their natural movement, they’re also fairly predictable, making it easier to plan a shot. Just be sure to check the weather before you head out – flat white skies won’t work well for this photo style.

Try capturing light trails for a more unique take on long-exposure photography. This technique is easy enough to do by heading out at night and finding a busy road or intersection. Use your camera’s self-timer or a remote shutter release to prevent jostling that could blur the image. This will help ensure that the center spokes of each car’s headlight or taillight remain sharp and crisp while allowing the rest to fade into captivating streaks.