Long-exposure photography: your how-to guide.
Are you ready to take photos with star trails streaking across the sky, soft and smooth waterfalls, or long, psychedelic light streaks coming off cars? Then long-exposure photography is for you!
What is long-exposure photography?
Long-exposure photography is using a longer shutter speed to capture dynamic motion in a still photo. If you’ve ever seen a photo of soft, blurred waterfalls or streaking star trails, you’ve seen long-exposure photography.
Want to master the techniques needed to land those stunning long-exposure photos? Read on to learn how.
How to take long-exposure photographs.
Taking a long-exposure photo is easier than it seems with a little preparation. Here’s how to get started.
- Assemble your gear.
Any type of camera shake or movement is not conducive to stellar long-exposure images. In these situations, a sturdy tripod will go a long way. A remote shutter release will also allow you to start your exposure without touching your camera. Lastly, consider using a neutral density or “ND” filter. These filters limit the amount of light you let into your camera, allowing for longer shutter speeds without risk of overexposure. - Turn your camera to manual mode.
Long-exposure photos require precise control over every element of your camera, so going manual is a must. Keep an eye out for a “bulb setting” or “bulb mode,” too, which allows you to keep the shutter open for as long as you hold the shutter release down. This can be a fun way to experiment with exposure times that go beyond your camera’s max settings. - Set your settings.
Speaking of settings, a general rule for long-exposure images is to use a higher F-stop number to limit the amount of light hitting your sensor all at once, since your shutter will be open for longer. You should also bear in mind that a higher ISO may impact image clarity, so aim for the settings that allow you to use a lower ISO whenever possible. - Check the weather.
Considering most long-exposure photography takes place outside, it’s important to be aware of the conditions you’re shooting in. A cloudless, blue-sky day might be wonderful for a Saturday cookout but not for dramatic photography. Look for overcast weather if you’re shooting during the day, or crystal-clear skies for the best photos of the stars. Also keep in mind the role that direct sunlight can play in your photos: a rushing waterfall or crashing wave may get blown out and overexposed without some cloud cover. - Test, test, test.
Don’t be afraid to take a few test shots and adjust accordingly. Too much light? Too little exposure? Use these test shots to compensate and find the perfect settings for your perfect shot.
Now that you know the gear and camera settings for long-exposure photography, let’s jump into how to improve and adjust for specific types of shots.
Tips for how to take better long-exposure photography shots.
To take a long-exposure photograph at night, which is usually to photograph beautiful images of stars and the Milky Way, you’ll want to follow these tips:
- Set your focus manually and get your image framed exactly how you want it.
- Keep your shutter speed somewhere between 30 and 60 seconds to start. Allow enough time to let a lot of light in — this will compensate for the darkness.
- Keep your ISO around 100 to 200 to reduce graininess and noise in your final image.
- If you plan on using editing software, shoot with your white balance on auto. This will give you a lot of play in your post-production.
- Consider a wide-angle lens if you plan on shooting cityscapes.
Long-exposure car photography.
To take another sought-after long-exposure photo — streams of car lights seemingly hanging in the air — consider these tips:
- These images will look best when shot at night, so the above tips for shooting stars still hold true here.
2. If you’re shooting in a city, be aware that there will be much more light and adjust your settings accordingly. Shutter speed should be between 15 and 30 seconds to start. You’ll want it to be long enough to capture a full trail of lights without cutting off too soon.
Long-exposure portrait photography.
Long-exposure portraits offer fun opportunities to deviate from the usual “click the shutter and wait” approach. Here’s how:
- Choose a dark location and bring your own light source (lamp, strobe, flashlight).
- Stay in manual focus mode, but feel free to opt for a quicker shutter speed and bring your ISO up to roughly 800 and adjust as needed.
3. Leave your light source on for a few moments while exposing your subject.
4. Experiment with asking your subject to move (a head turn, a hand wave) or moving your light source. This is a great way to experiment with light painting.
Long-exposure photography has come a long way since the early days of eight-hour exposures (according to Wikipedia, Niepce’s View from the Window at Le Gras is the oldest surviving camera photograph circa 1827). It’s no longer a necessity for shooting. It’s a style and a technique that, when done right, can create stunning results. Armed with these new tips, get out there and see what you can shoot.
