Long Exposure Photography

Long-exposure photography or time-exposure photography involves using a long-duration shutter speed to sharply capture the stationary elements of images while blurring, smearing, or obscuring the moving elements. The paths of moving light sources become clearly visible.

Technique

A long exposure photo of a watch in the dark. Note the appearance of the second hand as it rotates, showing that this was a 30 second exposure. The hour hand (which has moved infinitesimally) is clear, while the minute hand is slightly blurry from a half a minute of movement.

When a scene includes both stationary and moving subjects (for example, a fixed street and moving cars or a camera within a car showing a fixed dashboard and moving scenery), a slow shutter speed can cause interesting effects, such as light trails.

Long exposures are easiest to accomplish in low-light conditions, but can be done in brighter light using neutral density filters or specially designed cameras.

Night photography

By exposing an image for an extended period of time (eight seconds in this case), not only can detail be seen in the dark areas of the scene, but the headlights and taillights of vehicles on the highway become streaks.

Long-exposure photography is often used in a night-time setting in order to produce a near daytime effect in the photo. By leaving the camera's shutter open for an extended period of time, more light is absorbed, creating a brighter product. If the camera is stationary for the entire period of time that the shutter is open, a very vibrant and clear photograph can be produced.