How to Use Long Camera Exposures

Most pictures people shoot are taken very quickly in a split second. This produces a clear, sharp image in which the occurring action is stopped in the photograph. This is perfect for the normal day-to-day pictures; but when you slow down the period of time your camera focuses on a picture, you can get some unique and creative shots. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Camera
• Tripod

1. Know what a long exposure is. The exposure time is the amount of time a camera's lens takes in light for a photograph. If is open for 1/500th of a second, it will take in just a little light very quickly and the result will be a quick snapshot in time. However, if it is open for a full second, it will take in a lot more light over a slower time period and you will get a brighter picture which is a composition of what your camera saw during that second.
2. Find the exposure settings on your camera. Exposure is measured in seconds and it will be a 1 followed by a slash and a larger number for exposures under one second and a whole number for exposures over one second.
3. Set your camera on a tripod. It is impossible to take long exposures without a tripod because any camera shake will result in a blurry picture.
4. Turn your flash off and set your ISO to its lowest setting. A long exposure will let in a lot of light and make the picture bright. This eliminates the need for high ISO settings and use of a flash.
5. Use a long exposure to capture motion lines. Set your camera to a long exposure time of several seconds and aim it an object in motion, such as a waterfall or cars moving on a freeway. The objects which stay still in the picture will be sharp, but the moving objects will come across as streaks of light. This shows motion in a still picture.
6. Take night shots with long exposures. At night, sometimes the flash is not enough to give you the light you need. When this is the case, turn off the flash and turn up the exposure time. Your camera will be taken in the existing light and create a brighter picture.

Tips & Warnings

• One of the best uses of long exposures is for fireworks. For fireworks, set the exposure time to one second.