Taking pictures using a long exposure can create some very interesting effects. However, in order to get a nice long exposure photo, it is important to know what you are doing, and make sure you put the right amount of planning into the process.

One of the best ways to get a great long exposure photo, is simply by using a tripod. The slightest movement will be picked up by the camera and will cause your photo to become blurry. Along with that, using a remote for your shutter comes in handy. This keeps you from actually touching the camera and causing it to shake when you press the shutter. However, if you don’t want to use a remote, using shutter delay can definitely help with that.

Another way to make sure you get great long exposure photos is to plan ahead. This might seem like common sense, but thinking about the places you want to take long exposure photographs and whether or not it is going to work the way you want it to will save so much trouble. Along with that, you need to make sure that you are taking picture of something that won’t move all that much during the time the camera is going off. People and animals are not ideal subjects for long exposure photography.

Finally, when doing some types of long exposure photography, the camera makes a huge difference. Some of the less expensive Canon and Nikon cameras simply do not provide a slow enough shutter speed to get some of effects that you may want. For example, I have a Canon Rebel T5 (I can’t afford anything nicer right now), and while this camera does have quite a few shutter speed options, I cannot use it to take long exposure photographs of the stars because my shutter will just not go off that long. Getting a more expensive camera if possible will help you get some more interesting effects.

I think that the best thing you can do if you are trying to take long exposure images is be sure to use a tripod. Like previously stated, the vibration that you get just from holding a camera can ruin any long exposure photograph. Having a sturdy place to put your camera makes all the difference. Many of the other problems people face when doing long exposure photography can be avoided and planned around, however, tripods are almost crucial.

Be sure to stop back again tomorrow for another blog post! Feel free to share your thoughts with me, and to share my thoughts with the world!