13 second exposure at f16

Long exposure photographs of light trails have been a favorite of photographers for decades. Done right, these type of images offer eye-catching results that are attractive to viewers. Additionally, for many photographers, capturing light trails is often the first time they use manual modes so provide important knowledge for future experimentation. Shooting these is actually pretty simple, provided you follow a few basic steps.

Gear

You’ll need a couple of things to make the most of this type of photography. Firstly, your camera must offer manual exposure control, or at the very least, the ability to control the shutter speed. All DSLR’s and a wide variety of digicams have these controls. A good, sturdy tripod is essential, as the images will be shot with exposure times that are too long to allow handholding. It’s also recommended that you have some kind of remote shutter release, either wireless or cable, to minimize the chances of any vibrations caused by touching the camera’s shutter button. If you don’t have this, you could get away with using the self-timer option on the camera. Also useful is a lens hood to limit lens flare from any ambient lights.

Technique

Find a location that sees plenty of nighttime traffic pass by and that also allows you an unrestricted (and safe) vantage point. Secure your camera to the tripod, set a suitable exposure and take a test shot. Every situation will be different so you’ll have to discover the optimal settings by yourself. As a starting point however, try a shutter speed in the 5 to 10 second range, and then adjust as necessary. Shoot in RAW at ISO100 (or ISO200 if that’s the lowest setting). You may need to switch your lens to manual focus, as the low light may cause the camera’s autofocus motor to hunt and have difficulty locking onto something. Consider using the B or Bulb mode in order to time your shots perfectly – hit the shutter release as the traffic approaches and close it as it leaves.

Remember that there are no right or wrong settings; use whatever combination of numbers that gives you images that you are happy with. Experiment with things and you’ll soon get a few shots to be proud of.

That was the 72nd Daily PhotoTip. If this post was useful to you, why don’t you subscribe to my feed, leave a comment and share it with your friends. You can also get access to exclusive content and special offers by subscribing to my newsletter. Sign up today. Thank you.