Long exposure photography is a powerful technique that captures movement over time, creating dreamy, artistic effects like smooth waterfalls, light trails, and star trails.
Mastering this technique requires the right settings, equipment, and creativity. Here’s how to get started.
1. What Is Long Exposure Photography?
Long exposure photography involves using a slow shutter speed to blur motion while keeping static elements sharp. This technique is great for:
✔ Silky waterfalls and flowing rivers.
✔ Car light trails in cityscapes.
✔ Star trails and astrophotography.
✔ Cloud movement in landscapes.
2. Essential Gear for Long Exposure Photography
📷 Best Cameras for Long Exposures
- Sony A7R IV / Canon EOS R5 – High-resolution, excellent low-light performance.
- Nikon Z7 II / Fujifilm X-T5 – Great for landscapes and night photography.
🎞 Best Lenses for Long Exposures
- Wide-angle lens (16-35mm f/2.8) – Captures expansive scenes.
- Prime lens (50mm f/1.8) – Ideal for urban long exposures.
🛠 Must-Have Accessories
✔ Tripod – Prevents camera shake.
✔ Neutral Density (ND) Filters – Reduces light for daytime long exposures.
✔ Remote Shutter Release – Helps avoid camera movement when pressing the shutter.
3. Best Camera Settings for Long Exposure Photography
- Shutter Speed: 1 to 30 seconds (longer for extreme motion blur).
- Aperture: f/8 – f/16 (for deep depth of field).
- ISO: Keep it low (100-400) to reduce noise.
- Focus: Manual focus for precision in low light.
4. Best Long Exposure Photography Techniques
🌊 Capturing Smooth Waterfalls & Oceans
✔ Use a 1-5 second shutter speed for silky water effects.
✔ Use an ND filter to prevent overexposure in daylight.
🚗 Creating Stunning Light Trails
✔ Shoot in manual mode at night.
✔ Use a shutter speed of 5-10 seconds for long, smooth light streaks.
🌌 Shooting Star Trails & Night Sky
✔ Use a 20-30 second shutter speed to capture more light.
✔ Stack multiple exposures in post-processing for longer trails.
5. Editing & Enhancing Long Exposure Photos
✔ Adjust exposure and highlights in Lightroom for a balanced look.
✔ Use Photoshop for stacking star trails and refining motion blur.
✔ Enhance colors and contrast to make light trails pop.
Final Thoughts
Long exposure photography allows you to create surreal, visually striking images. With the right gear, settings, and techniques, you can capture motion and light in ways that the human eye can’t see. Start experimenting today!