The long exposure technique has grown in popularity among photography aficionados in the past several years. While it can be used both in an urban environment or a studio, the ideal place to use long exposure is in landscape photography. If you would like to learn how to use this impressive photography technique, here is a step-by-step guide on how to take long exposure photos. This is the perfect way to photograph fireworks!
HOW TO TAKE LONG EXPOSURE PHOTOS
How do I take photos of fireworks? How do I do light writing? How to make a cool photo with sparklers? It’s all about long exposure photography.
1. OBSERVE THE WEATHER
A day without any cloud visible in the sky is not ideal for taking long exposure photos. Similarly, you don’t want to take long exposure photos when it is raining outside. So, study the satellite images to figure out whether a storm is coming or whether the downpour is about to end.
2. PLAN YOUR SHOOT
The world in a long exposure looks completely different from how you see it using your eyes. Visualize it in your mind, trying to find a harmonious composition, which includes moving subjects, attempting to predict cloud direction or the sea’s force. Avoid putting the sun into your composition since its movement is likely to ruin your shot by creating an unrecoverable area of exposure. If the sun cannot be avoided, wait until a cloud hides it.
3. USE YOUR TRIPOD
You MUST use a tripod. Any shakes when taking the photo will ruin the image. Mount the camera on a tripod and install all the accessories you require including the remote shutter release. If your camera uses Wi-Fi, use that to take photos. Add the filter holder if using drop-in filters. However, it is important to wait before you install the filters.
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4. COMPOSE YOUR SHOT AND LOCK FOCUS
Refine the composition, focus on your subject, and lock focus. If using manual focus, just do it. If using autofocus mode, focus by half-pressing the shutter button and then push the lever from Auto Focus to Manual while still holding the shutter button down halfway once focus is made.
5. SET EXPOSURE
Set your camera to Aperture Priority or Manual Mode. Next, set the aperture to a suitable value for the scene and then take a “Test Shot”. Once correct exposure is achieved, the test will be complete. Check the histogram to check whether the exposure is correct. The above image are the settings I had on my Canon EOS 70D.
While there’s not universally correct histogram, some histograms are universally incorrect (i.e. completely moved to the left or right side), which means that the image will be either underexposed or overexposed. After a successful test shot, write down the shutter speed used for the shot.
6. ADDING FILTERS
Note: I did not use a filter for the photos in this article. You can now add your Natural Density filter. If the filter is too strong, for instance 10 stops, it might be impossible for you to see through the Live View or viewfinder. However, this is not something to worry about since you have already made the composition as well as the focus if you have been following this guide thus far.
7. CHANGE TO BULB MODE
Setting the shooting mode to Bulb mode is important if you wish to take long exposure shots over the 30-second camera limit. However, don’t change any of the settings used in your test shot.
8. TAKE THE LONG EXPOSURE SHOT
It is now time to take the long exposure shot, but the question is: how long should you leave the shutter open? It is much easier than you would expect. First, recollect the shutter speed noted down from the “Test Shot”. Now, compensate by the number of stops the filter introduced.
For example, if the test shot was 1/15th of a second, if you add 10 stops your shutter speed will be approximately 60 seconds. Now you have the shutter speed. You can easily find conversion table and smartphone apps to do the conversion for you.
This is the time when you focus on the fireworks. If you are shooting someone with a sparkler, focus on them and have them motion the sparkler in the shape they want. Make sure they are writing or drawing backwards.
9. CHECK THE HISTOGRAM ONCE MORE
After you take the long exposure shot with your computed shutter speed, check the histogram once more. If the resultant histogram is roughly equal to that of the test shot, you have accomplished your mission. If it’s shifted far to either the right or left side, repeat the shot correcting the shutter speed.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Taking long exposure shot is quite easy if you follow the steps listed above. If you wish to become better at doing this, you need lots of practice. So, fill take your camera and filters and go to practice out in the field.
Thanks for reading and y’all stay dandy.
-Diego
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