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Photographing Long Exposures: A Method in Patience Blog

Jul 14, 2022

Photographs with long exposures appear to be manipulated since they showcase the scene in a manner that wouldn't be visible at just one glance. But it's skilled camera work and not Photoshop, that's responsible for these amazing images.

The good news: it's not necessary to be a professional photographer to apply long exposure to work in your photos. Read on to learn the fundamentals of long exposure photography and how you can do it as well as some tips to taking exceptional long exposure shots.

What Is Long Exposure Photography?

Also known as slow shutter photography or time exposure photography prolonged exposure is a method which allows photographers to compress an extended period of time into a single photo. When you slow down shutter speed, the camera can capture both moving and stationary elements and combines them into an image. The result is an image that tells a more complete narrative, and also captures more detail than what you achieve with a typical picture.

An image is considered to be long exposure if taken with a shutter speed of 1/60 or lower, and images can be taken anywhere from a couple of seconds up to several hours to capture. Once you've begun exploring long exposure, you can play with various shutter speeds and time lapses to see what kind of results you can create.

Must-Have Long Exposure Photography Equipment

There isn't a lot of equipment for long exposure photography, but you do need a few essentials.

Manual Camera

The primary piece of equipment to take long exposure photos is an manual camera. In contrast to an automated camera which is a digital camera, manual cameras offer you complete control over the shutter speed and aperture value that is crucial when taking photos with long exposures.

Are you hesitant to spend the money and purchase a brand-new camera? Most smartphones offer at least an element of manual control within their camera's basic settings. You can also download apps that you can download that give more control.

Neutral Density Filters

Tripod

Technically, you can shoot long exposures without tripod, but you probably do not wish to. A tripod will keep the camera in place all the duration of the photo, which, depending on what you're trying to capture, may last several minutes. In the absence of a tripod, you could risk changing your camera's position and diminishing your chance of taking a sharp image.

Long Exposure Photography Settings

Some tips: Always make sure that you're shooting using the manual (or bulb) mode and shoot RAWto ensure the best brightness in both color and depth. Then, turn off image stabilization (IS) so that the lens won't attempt to compensate automatically for movements within the frame. Then, it's just the matter of adjusting your shutter speed and aperture for the photo. Do some research to learn more about specific tips, because certain kinds of long exposures such as the star trail or panorama require specific shutter speed and aperture designations.

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Night & Day Long Exposure Photography

The role of light is crucial in long exposure photography, therefore it shouldn't come as a surprise that the time of day when you shoot your photos is crucial.

Use neutral density filters during extended exposures in the morning to lessen the chance of exposure excess exposure from too much light inside the frame. A 6 stop filter should suffice, however 10 stops are even better. If you do not have an ND filter and are unable to acquire one in time, you could attempt using the image with no filter, but the results may differ. It is best to select the narrowest aperture that you can on your photo to allow the least amount of light to pass through to the lens.

In the case of night time long exposure photography, it is important to want to look at ways to let more light to the lens, not less. It's done by leaving the shutter unlocked for longer duration, whether by using an shutter release, or making use of the delay feature on your camera. And because capturing stars and other elements of night require extended exposure times, start out with some test photos to be sure your settings and your composition are on point before you get into business.

Photography of Landscapes Long Exposure

Landscapes are particularly well suited to long exposure photography. The technique can be used to emphasize features such as clouds and water and can assist in creating effects which transport viewers to the world of realistic and unique in its arrangement.

To add more interest to your landscape long exposure photographs, try shooting on overcast days when the sun is at least partially obscured by clouds. It is still recommended to apply an ND filter, however you'll notice greater contrast in your photos and a stunning look at the sky moving. Give yourself plenty of time to capture your perfect picture. Also, as noted earlier, compose your shot prior to time so that you can focus much more on the length of exposure than which elements you'd like capture.

A good guideline, reduce your ISO so that your camera is less sensitive to light in daytime hours. Also, you should make time for tweaking your settings before settling on the perfect balance, as the optimal shutter speed and aperture configuration is dependent upon the unique circumstances of the particular landscape.

Long Exposure Photography Tips

There's been a lot of essential tips (set the composition ahead of time, adjust your settings based on lighting conditions, etc. ) There are other things that you can do to increase your chance of taking a spectacular photo.

Present Motion and Stillness

What is the best long exposure shot? There are a number of factors, but one of most important is that it has both stillness as well as motion. The solid, centered focal points such as roads, mountains, constructions, or rocks makes motion features more attractive and can also help anchor your composition and give moving elements a sense of purpose and direction.

Write, then Focus.

If done correctly, a long exposure image should guide the eye of the viewer to certain key components. However, before you bring out the best in those components then you must nail the composition. When you're preparing your shot, optimize your composition first, then focus on those elements of the frame you wish to serve as the main focus of your frame.

Cover Your Viewfinder

If you observe the light is getting through the frame despite or without an ND filter, cover the viewfinder with a filter to keep it from entering and also your filter holder if necessary.

Experiment with Weather and Light

The most suitable location to take your photo with a long exposure could be better during a different time of day or in diverse temperatures. If you are able, revisit the exact site under different situations to find out what provides you the most impactful--and the most impressive--photography.

Innovative Long Exposure Photography Tips

In need of some motivation? We've got some great ideas to help you get started:

  • Be sure to follow the trails of light. Photograph scenes with lights in motion like Ferris wheel or busy roads.
  • Take advantage of photographs. Long exposure isn't just for shots of nature. Try out the technique for portrait photography, too be sure to incorporate some degree of motion into the image.
  • Go out on a windy day. Motion brings interest to photos that are long-exposure while wind can add even more motion the scene. Instead of staying in your home in the windy months, go outside with your camera. But be sure to bring an appropriate tripod.

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