5 Easy Ways to Improve your Long Exposure Photography

There is something ultimately relaxing about the process of long exposure photography. This article covers 5 easy ways to improve your long exposure photography technique for beginners. Take an already stunning location and slow the whole view down. This will make even the moving aspects of the scene entirely still. It is a relaxing process with the added benefit of the fresh air and the great outdoors.

How to shoot long exposure photography

1. USE A TRIPOD:

Stability is crucial in long exposure photography because the camera’s shutter is open for an extended period. Even slight movements can result in blurry images. Invest in a sturdy tripod to keep your camera still during the exposure. Extend the legs fully and use a remote shutter release or the camera’s timer. This will minimise camera shake when pressing the shutter button. Using a tripod is without doubt the easiest way to improve your long exposure photography.

2. SELECT THE RIGHT ND FILTER:

Neutral density (ND) filters reduce the light entering the camera, allowing for longer shutter speeds even in bright conditions. The choice of ND filter strength, such as ND2, ND4, or ND10, depends on the effect you want to achieve.

A more robust ND filter, like ND10, is suitable for extremely long exposure photography, while lighter ND filters are ideal for moderately long exposures.

Examples of long exposure photography

3. CHOOSE THE IDEAL APERTURE AND ISO:

Long exposure photography often involves using small apertures (higher f-numbers) to control the light entering the camera. This results in a greater depth of field and sharpness in your images. Keep your ISO as low as possible (usually 100 or 200) to minimise noise in the final image. See more: The Long Exposure Photography eBook.

4. CALCULATE THE EXPOSURE TIME:

Calculating the correct exposure time is essential for achieving the desired effect. Start with your camera’s metered exposure without the ND filter. Calculate the adjusted exposure time with the filter in place. You can use long exposure photography calculator apps or online tables to help with these calculations.

5. EXPERIMENT WITH COMPOSITION:

Long exposure photography allows you to create unique compositions by capturing the passage of time. Experiment with subjects like flowing water, moving clouds, or light trails from vehicles. Consider the composition carefully, and use leading lines, exciting foreground elements, and strong focal points to enhance your photos.

BONUS TIP: REVIEW AND ADJUST

After taking a long exposure shot, review the image and make necessary adjustments. Check for exposure, composition, and potential issues like blown-out highlights or unwanted artefacts. If needed, take multiple shots with varying settings to ensure you get the best result. Read more in The Long Exposure Photography eBook.

The best way to improve your long exposure photography is trial and error. Please don’t be discouraged if your initial attempts don’t appear as expected. You’ll improve your skills and capture stunning long exposure images with practice and patience.

Links

The ultimate guide to long exposure photography The Long Exposure eBook

The Long Exposure Photography ebook is the complete guide to getting started with capturing long exposure images. The aim of this e-book is to offer an introduction to the process of capturing long exposure photographs. It documents the simple steps I employ each time I embark on a long exposure photo shoot. The Long Exposure ebook is the complete guide to getting started with capturing long exposure images.

The aim of this e-book is to offer an introduction to the process of capturing long exposure photographs. It documents the simple steps I employ each time I embark on a long exposure photo shoot.

The e-book covers everything from the equipment you will need right through to post-production processing in Adobe’s brilliant Lightroom This guide has been written with the beginner to the long exposure process in mind; however, the enthusiast and professional alike may find something of relevance also. The know-how in this book will enable you to capture stunning long exposure images on even the simplest of camera set-ups.

This e-book should be the start on your long exposure journey, and all it takes is a camera, tripod, Neutral Density (ND) filter and patience. Once you have understood the basics, you will be able to develop your style and create dramatic long exposure landscape images.