Long Exposure Photography: Techniques for Capturing Light Over Time
Have you ever seen a photo where the water looks smooth like glass, or the stars make trails across the sky? Those magical photos are made using long exposure photography. It’s a fun technique where the camera’s shutter stays open longer than usual, allowing it to capture light over a longer period of time.
Let’s dive into what long exposure photography is and how you can try it yourself!
What is Long Exposure Photography?
Normally, when you take a picture, the camera’s shutter opens and closes in a tiny fraction of a second. In long exposure photography, the shutter stays open for seconds, minutes, or even hours! This captures movement and light in a way your eyes can’t normally see.
Things that move, like cars, clouds, or water, look smooth and dreamy. Lights can turn into bright trails, and dark scenes can become beautifully detailed.
What You’ll Need
To get started with long exposure photography, you’ll need a few basic things:
A Camera: A DSLR, mirrorless camera, or any camera that lets you control the shutter speed.
A Tripod: Since the camera will be open for a long time, it needs to stay perfectly still. A tripod keeps your shot from getting blurry.
A Remote Shutter or Timer: Pressing the camera button can shake the camera. Using a remote or setting a timer helps avoid this.
Optional but helpful:
ND Filter (Neutral Density Filter): This is like sunglasses for your camera. It lets you take long exposures during the daytime without overexposing the photo.
Basic Settings to Try
Here’s how to set up your camera:
Switch to Manual Mode: This gives you full control over your settings.
Set a Slow Shutter Speed: Start with 5-30 seconds, depending on how much movement you want.
Lower Your ISO: Use ISO 100 or 200 to avoid too much brightness or noise.
Adjust Your Aperture: Use a higher f-stop number (like f/8 or f/11) to keep more of the image in focus.
Tip: Always check your photo after you take it and adjust if needed!
Fun Ideas to Try
Waterfalls and Rivers: Make the water look soft and silky.
Light Trails: Photograph cars at night to capture their headlights as long, glowing lines.
Star Trails: On a clear night, set your camera to take a super long exposure and watch the stars make circles in the sky.
Clouds Moving: Capture the slow drift of clouds to make the sky look dreamy.
Things to Watch Out For
Overexposure: If your photo is too bright, use a faster shutter speed or add an ND filter.
Camera Shake: Always use a tripod and a remote or timer.
Battery Life: Long exposures can drain your battery faster, so bring extras if you’re planning a long session.
Practice Makes Perfect
Long exposure photography can feel tricky at first, but don’t get frustrated! Try different settings, times of day, and subjects. Every shot you take teaches you something new.
Before you know it, you’ll be creating photos that look like magic — all by capturing light over time!
C. Perkins, Photography Enthusiast
