Ideas for long exposure photos
Published: 30.11.2021
Using a long exposure, you can create beautiful and original photographs that freeze the subject and visualize movement. Exposure is the amount of time the camera's shutter is open. The longer the exposure, the more light hits the sensor. Long exposure is convenient for taking photos in motion and in low light conditions. It is used for both portrait and landscape photography. It is not enough to just choose an interesting idea for a long exposure photo, you also need to correctly set up the camera, ensure the camera is stable, and consider many nuances. Let's look at the different ideas for long exposure photos and how to properly adjust the camera to get high-quality shots.
How to correctly set the camera settings for shooting with a long exposure
For shooting with a long exposure, you will need a DSLR camera with manual exposure settings. If you are shooting in bright daylight, lens filters will be useful to control the amount of light hitting the sensor. You will also need a tripod to ensure camera stability. It is not necessary to buy an expensive tripod, the most important thing is that it is sturdy and stable. A remote control shutter release will also be handy for triggering the camera without touching it. It is recommended to set the following settings on the camera: Always choose manual mode over automatic mode. In automatic mode, it will be difficult to control the focus and the emphasis may not be on the details you need. The shutter speed can range from 1/6 to 30 seconds. Choose the exposure time depending on the shooting conditions. The less light available, the longer the exposure time needed. For example, to take a photo of night lanterns, choose a shutter speed of 30 seconds. The higher the shutter speed value, the higher the ISO should be. Take a few test shots to make sure the image is sharp, without noise or graininess. To achieve a blurred background, focus on the foreground. For instance, when shooting seascapes, focus on a rock, it will appear sharper compared to the blurred waves.
Popular ideas for long exposure photos
There are many ideas on how to take a long exposure photograph. Let's consider the most popular ones:
1. Shooting water with a long exposure. Each of us has seen photos of frozen waves or a frozen waterfall. All of these photos are taken using a long exposure. The camera settings depend on the body of water you are shooting. For example, when shooting a turbulent mountain stream, you will need an exposure of 1/6 of a second. For a photo of a calm stream, set the exposure value to 20-30 seconds. The aperture value should be greater than f7. Don't forget to bring a tripod and lens filters with you.
2. Shooting the streets of the city. The streets of a modern city are always filled with movement, rushing people, passing vehicles, and flickering lights of street lamps. Shooting urban life with a long exposure can be done both during the day and at night. During the day, a long exposure will help capture the trajectory of moving vehicles, while at night you can capture striking reflections from street lamps and neon lights in shop windows. A photo of a person against the backdrop of passing traffic looks beautiful, showcasing just how bustling and fast-paced life is around us.
3. Portrait photography with long exposure. A portrait doesn't necessarily have to be of a posing and still model. The best portrait photos are taken when people don't know they are being photographed and behave as naturally as possible. Using long exposure, you can capture the movement and gestures of a person, creating interesting effects with blurriness. For example, using a flash with long exposure can create a halo effect. The person's face will remain sharp, but a blurred trail will appear next to them. People in such portraits look mystical and create the impression of ghosts.
4. Shooting sports and dance with long exposure. Sports and dance events involve constant movement and the beauty of grace. Using long exposure, you can turn static photos into dynamic ones. Flash and long exposure will allow you to show the trajectory of a sportsman or dancer's movement, bringing your photos to life.
5. Shooting attractions and carousels with long exposure. If you are heading to photograph in an amusement park, be sure to bring a tripod and take some shots with long exposure. You will get original photos that show the movement of the carousel, Ferris wheel, and other attractions. Photos of attractions taken in the evening look especially impressive. Everything is lit up, flashing, creating a positive and pleasant impression from the photos.
6. Photos of fireworks with a long exposure. It is very difficult to capture fireworks with a short exposure, as you may miss the moment of explosion and end up with blurry photos. A long exposure will allow you to properly focus on the object and capture the trail of the fireworks.
7. Photos of animals with long exposure. When you are photographing insects or birds, they rarely sit still. You need to capture the moment and press the camera shutter button at the right time. Long exposure allows you to capture the wingspan of a bird, show the trail of movement of insects, and make the photo more high-quality and clear.
Whichever plot you choose for a long exposure photo, don't forget about the correct camera settings and ensuring the camera's stability. Experiment, shoot different subjects, adjust settings, improve photos in graphic editors. Over time and with experience, you will understand how to best use long exposure to capture the most interesting shot. And the best photos taken with long exposure can be preserved by ordering a photo book or album from Light.
Cool photos deserve unusual framing. Print your cool photos in a polaroid style. Fans of instant photography from the 90s can experience familiar feelings by holding a photo in the style of Polaroid. Those who are not familiar with traditional polaroids will enjoy square images with space for captions.
