Mastering Long Exposure Photography: Practical Tips and Techniques

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 21 June 2023 11 min read

Long exposure photography is an exciting technique that allows you to capture stunning images with unique visual effects. In this blog, we'll explore practical tips and techniques to help you master long exposure photography, covering everything from choosing the right equipment to finding the perfect location for your shots. Let's dive in!

1. Choosing the Right Equipment

To capture great long exposure photos, you'll need the right equipment. In this section, we'll discuss the best cameras, tripods, and accessories for long exposure photography.

Best Cameras for Long Exposure

When it comes to long exposure photography, a camera with manual controls is a must. Here are some features to look for:

Manual mode: Allows you to adjust aperture, shutter speed, and ISO independently.
Bulb mode: Enables you to take exposures longer than the camera's maximum shutter speed.
Good low-light performance: Look for a camera with a high ISO range and low noise at higher ISOs.
Long battery life: Long exposures can drain your battery quickly, so a camera with good battery life is important.

Some popular options for long exposure photography include DSLRs like the Nikon D850 or Canon 5D Mark IV, and mirrorless cameras like the Sony A7 III or Fujifilm X-T4.

Tripods and Stability

A sturdy tripod is essential for long exposure photography to keep your camera stable during the extended exposure time. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a tripod:

Weight capacity: Ensure the tripod can support your camera and lens weight.
Height: Choose a tripod that can extend to a comfortable height for your shooting preferences.
Leg locks: Look for tripods with secure leg locks to prevent accidental collapsing.
Stability: A heavy-duty tripod with a hook to add extra weight can provide added stability in windy conditions.

Popular tripod brands for long exposure photography include Manfrotto, Gitzo, and Benro.

Filters and Accessories

Filters can help you achieve the desired exposure times and effects in your long exposure photography. Some useful filters and accessories include:

Neutral density (ND) filters: These filters reduce the amount of light entering the lens, allowing you to use slower shutter speeds during daylight hours.
Graduated ND filters: These filters have a gradual transition from clear to dark, helping to balance exposure in scenes with a bright sky and darker foreground.
Remote shutter release: This accessory lets you trigger the camera without touching it, reducing the risk of camera shake during long exposures.
Lens hood: A lens hood can help prevent lens flare and protect your lens from the elements.

When selecting filters, invest in high-quality options to avoid degrading your image quality. Brands like Hoya, B+W, and Lee Filters are known for their quality products.

2. Understanding Exposure Settings

Now that you have the right equipment, let's talk about exposure settings. Understanding how to control aperture, shutter speed, and ISO will help you create stunning long exposure photographs.

Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO

There are three primary settings that control the exposure of your image:

Aperture: The size of the opening in your lens, measured in f-stops. A smaller f-number (e.g., f/2.8) means a larger opening and more light entering the camera, while a larger f-number (e.g., f/16) means a smaller opening and less light.
Shutter Speed: The length of time the camera's shutter is open. Longer shutter speeds (e.g., 30 seconds) allow more light in, creating motion blur in moving subjects, while shorter shutter speeds (e.g., 1/500) freeze motion.
ISO: The camera's sensitivity to light. A higher ISO (e.g., 1600) increases the brightness of your image but may introduce more noise, while a lower ISO (e.g., 100) produces cleaner images with less noise but might require longer shutter speeds.

For long exposure photography, you'll typically use a small aperture (e.g., f/8 to f/16) to maximize depth of field, a slow shutter speed to capture motion, and a low ISO to minimize noise.

Using Bulb Mode

Most cameras have a maximum shutter speed of 30 seconds, which might not be long enough for some long exposure photography situations. That's where Bulb mode comes in handy.

Bulb mode allows you to keep the shutter open for as long as you press the shutter button or use a remote shutter release. This enables you to capture exposures longer than 30 seconds, which can be useful for nighttime long exposure photography or when using strong ND filters during the day.

To use Bulb mode, set your camera to manual mode, and then choose the Bulb setting for shutter speed (usually indicated by a "B" on the shutter speed dial). Remember to use a remote shutter release to avoid camera shake during the exposure.

3. Composition and Framing

With your equipment set up and your exposure settings adjusted, it's time to focus on the artistic side of long exposure photography: composition and framing. These elements can make or break your images, so let's explore some techniques to help you create eye-catching long exposure photographs.

Finding Interesting Subjects

Long exposure photography is all about capturing the passage of time. To make your images stand out, look for subjects with movement or changing conditions. Some popular subjects for long exposure photography include:

Flowing water, such as rivers, waterfalls, or ocean waves
Clouds moving across the sky
Cityscapes with busy traffic or pedestrians
Star trails in the night sky

Remember, the goal is to capture the essence of time in your images. So, explore different subjects and find what speaks to you the most.

Using Foreground Elements

Including foreground elements in your long exposure photography can add depth and interest to your images. Foreground elements help anchor the viewer's eye and create a sense of scale in your composition. Some examples of effective foreground elements include:

Rocks or driftwood on a beach
Plants or trees in a landscape
Architectural features in a cityscape

When framing your shot, make sure the foreground elements are in focus and complement the overall composition. Experiment with different angles and perspectives to find the most striking composition.

Leading Lines and Rule of Thirds

Two fundamental composition techniques you can use in long exposure photography are leading lines and the rule of thirds. Both of these techniques help guide the viewer's eye through the image, creating a more engaging visual experience.

Leading Lines: These are lines within the image that guide the viewer's eye to the main subject or through the scene. Examples include roads, fences, rivers, or even the natural flow of water or clouds. Use leading lines to draw the viewer's attention to the most important parts of your image.
Rule of Thirds: This is a simple but effective composition technique that involves dividing your image into nine equal parts using two equally spaced horizontal and vertical lines. The idea is to place your main subject or points of interest along these lines or at their intersections, creating a more balanced and visually appealing composition.

By incorporating leading lines and the rule of thirds in your long exposure photography, you'll create images that are not only visually striking but also tell a compelling story.

4. Shooting in Different Lighting Conditions

Long exposure photography can be done in various lighting conditions, each offering unique creative opportunities. Let's explore how to shoot long exposure images in different lighting situations and make the most of each environment.

Daytime Long Exposure

Shooting long exposure images during daytime can be challenging due to the abundance of light. However, with the right approach and equipment, you can create stunning daytime long exposure photographs. Here's how:

Use a neutral density (ND) filter to reduce the amount of light entering your camera. This allows you to use slower shutter speeds without overexposing your image.
Choose subjects with movement, such as flowing water, clouds, or busy city streets, to capture the passage of time.
Experiment with different exposure times to achieve the desired level of motion blur or smoothness in the image.

Remember to keep an eye on your exposure settings and adjust them accordingly to maintain proper exposure throughout the shoot.

Nighttime Long Exposure

Nighttime long exposure photography opens up a world of creative possibilities, from capturing star trails to painting with light. Here are some tips for successful nighttime long exposure shots:

Use a tripod and a remote shutter release to minimize camera shake and ensure sharp images.
Set your camera to manual mode and adjust the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO to achieve the desired exposure.
Focus manually, as autofocus may struggle in low light conditions. Use the camera's live view mode to zoom in on a bright star or distant light to fine-tune your focus.
Experiment with different exposure times and subjects, such as star trails, cityscapes, or light painting techniques.

Don't forget to check your images for proper exposure and sharpness throughout the shoot and adjust your settings as needed.

Golden Hour and Blue Hour

Golden hour and blue hour are magical times for photography, offering soft, warm light and beautiful colors. These periods can also be perfect for long exposure photography, allowing you to capture stunning, atmospheric images. Here's how to make the most of golden hour and blue hour for long exposure shots:

Golden Hour: This is the period shortly after sunrise or before sunset when the sunlight is warm and soft. Look for subjects with interesting shadows or light patterns, such as landscapes or architecture, and use long exposures to create a dreamy, ethereal effect.
Blue Hour: This is the period just before sunrise or after sunset when the sky takes on a deep blue hue. Cityscapes and landscapes can look especially dramatic during blue hour. Use long exposures to capture the contrast between the cool blue sky and the warm artificial lights, or to create smooth, silky water effects in coastal scenes.

Always be prepared to adjust your exposure settings to match the changing light conditions during golden hour and blue hour. With practice and patience, you'll be able to create breathtaking long exposure images in these magical lighting conditions.

5. Dealing with Challenging Weather

Challenging weather conditions can make long exposure photography more difficult, but they can also produce unique and captivating images. In this section, we'll discuss how to overcome the challenges of shooting in adverse weather and capture striking long exposure photographs.

Shooting in the Rain

Rain can create interesting textures and reflections for your long exposure photography. Here are some tips for shooting in the rain:

Keep your camera and lens protected with a rain cover or plastic bag. Make sure to also have a lens cloth handy to wipe off any water droplets that may form on the lens.
Use a tripod to stabilize your camera and capture sharp images, even when using slow shutter speeds.
Focus on subjects with interesting reflections, such as puddles, wet streets, or city lights.
Experiment with different shutter speeds to capture varying levels of motion blur in the raindrops or streaks of light.

Embrace the rain and use it to your advantage to create unique and atmospheric long exposure images.

Capturing Lightning Strikes

Lightning can be a dramatic subject for long exposure photography, but capturing it requires patience, timing, and safety precautions. Here's how to photograph lightning strikes with long exposure:

Choose a safe location with a clear view of the storm, preferably from indoors or inside a vehicle.
Set up your camera on a tripod and use a remote shutter release to minimize camera shake.
Adjust your camera settings to a long exposure (several seconds or more) and a low ISO to capture the lightning without overexposing the scene.
Manually focus your lens on a distant point in the scene to ensure sharp images.
Be patient and take multiple shots, as capturing the perfect lightning strike may require some trial and error.

Remember to prioritize your safety when photographing lightning and never attempt to shoot in dangerous conditions. With patience and practice, you can capture breathtaking long exposure images of lightning strikes.

6. Post-Processing Long Exposure Photos

Post-processing is an important step in long exposure photography, as it allows you to refine your images and enhance their overall impact. In this section, we'll explore some editing techniques and software options to help you master the art of post-processing your long exposure photographs.

Editing Software Options

There are many editing software options available for long exposure photography, but some popular choices include:

Adobe Lightroom: A powerful and user-friendly tool for organizing, editing, and exporting your images.
Adobe Photoshop: A more advanced editing software that offers extensive tools and features for manipulating and enhancing your photographs.
Affinity Photo: A budget-friendly alternative to Photoshop that still provides a range of powerful editing capabilities.

Choose the software that best meets your needs and budget, and invest time in learning its features to get the most out of your long exposure photography.

Noise Reduction Techniques

Long exposure photography can sometimes result in increased image noise, especially when using high ISO settings. Here are some techniques to reduce noise in your images:

Use a lower ISO setting during shooting, if possible, to minimize noise.
Apply noise reduction in your editing software, either globally or selectively, to smooth out noise without losing too much detail.
Stack multiple exposures of the same scene to average out noise and improve overall image quality.

Experiment with these noise reduction techniques to achieve cleaner and more polished long exposure photographs.

Creating Dramatic Effects

Post-processing allows you to enhance the drama and impact of your long exposure photographs. Here are some tips for creating dramatic effects:

Adjust the contrast to emphasize the difference between light and dark areas in your image.
Increase the saturation or vibrance to make colors pop and create a more striking visual impact.
Use dodging and burning techniques to selectively lighten or darken areas of your image, drawing attention to key elements and adding depth.
Apply sharpening to enhance the details and textures in your photograph.

By mastering these post-processing techniques, you can transform your raw long exposure images into captivating works of art.

7. Long Exposure Photography Locations

Choosing the right location for long exposure photography can make a significant difference in the outcome of your images. In this section, we'll explore various settings that lend themselves well to long exposure techniques and offer some inspiration for your next shoot.

Urban Settings

Urban environments offer a wealth of opportunities for long exposure photography. Here are some ideas:

Cityscapes: Capture the movement of traffic and the glow of city lights against a backdrop of towering buildings.
Busy streets: Show the hustle and bustle of pedestrians and vehicles in motion, creating a sense of energy and dynamism.
Public transportation: Use long exposures to capture the motion blur of trains, buses, or trams as they traverse the city.

Experiment with different vantage points and angles to find unique perspectives in your urban long exposure photography.

Natural Landscapes

Natural landscapes provide a serene and tranquil setting for long exposure photography. Consider these subjects:

Waterfalls: Use long exposures to create a silky smooth effect on flowing water, contrasting with the surrounding rocks and foliage.
Seascapes: Capture the motion of waves crashing against the shore, or the gentle ebb and flow of tides over time.
Stars and the night sky: Utilize long exposures to reveal the movement of stars and other celestial bodies, creating stunning star trail images.

When photographing natural landscapes, be mindful of the environment and practice leave no trace principles to preserve these beautiful locations for future generations.

Popular Long Exposure Spots

Some locations are famous for their potential in long exposure photography. While it's always great to find your own unique spots, consider visiting these popular destinations for inspiration:

Iceland's Diamond Beach: Capture the movement of waves around icebergs on this iconic black sand beach.
New York City's Times Square: Showcase the energy and vibrancy of this bustling urban hub, with its dazzling lights and constant movement.
Yosemite National Park: Photograph the granite cliffs, waterfalls, and starry skies in this breathtaking natural landscape.

Whether you choose to explore popular long exposure photography locations or venture off the beaten path, the key is to practice your skills and develop your own creative style. Happy shooting!

If you enjoyed this blog post and want to dive deeper into night photography, don't miss the workshop 'Intro to Photographing at Night' by Caleb Stein. This workshop will provide you with the necessary techniques and tips to capture stunning images in low light conditions, making your nighttime photography stand out.