How to Shoot With a Long Shutter Speed

Photo with a long shutter speed

Use shutter speed for a special effect

Have you mastered the exposure triangle? Great. Then it is time to start experimenting with one of its elements: shutter speed. By using a longer shutter speed, you can create special effects in your photos. We explain how to do that here.

Step-by-step plan for photographing light trails

One of the best-known effects you can create with a long shutter speed is light trails. You have probably seen them before: photos of highways late at night with yellow and red light trails. These photos are made using a longer shutter speed. Because the shutter stays open longer, light falls on the sensor for a longer period of time. When that light moves, such as cars driving on a highway, a light trail appears in your photo.

Taking photos with light trails is not that difficult, but your camera settings and setup do need to meet a few requirements. If you follow our step-by-step plan, you will have it done in no time.

Step 1

Carefully choose the setting for your photo. For photos with light trails, it is important that there is enough light. It is also important that this light appears often. So an abandoned road is not the best idea. Also think carefully about the colours. A car has yellow or white lights at the front and red lights at the back. If you want to capture both, you need to find a road where cars are driving both towards you and away from you. Also keep your own safety in mind. For example, choose a bridge or viaduct where you can safely stand for a while without being in the way.

Step 2

Once you have found the right spot, you need a tripod or another way to keep your camera stable. Because the shutter stays open longer, it is important that the camera itself does not move. If the camera moves, the light trail effect will be lost and you will get a blurry photo.

Step 3

Once your camera is set up, it is time to try out a few settings to get the perfect shot. There is no magic formula that always creates the perfect light trail photo, but there are a few guidelines you can follow. Try to keep the ISO as low as possible. It is best to start with an ISO of 100. How wide you set the aperture depends on how much ambient light you want in your photo. Do you want a lot of ambient light? Then choose an aperture between f/4 and f/11. Do you prefer less light? Then choose an aperture of f/16 or smaller. After that, it is time to experiment with the shutter speed. The longer your shutter speed, the more light trails will appear in your photo and the longer they will be. Many photographers use a shutter speed between 6 and 30 seconds. For a longer shutter speed, it is often useful to use your camera’s Bulb mode. This lets you keep the shutter open for as long as you want. The only way to find out what you like is by experimenting. Do you think this is too many settings to keep in mind? Many cameras have a Shutter Priority mode, which you can recognise by the symbol “Tv” or “S”. In this mode, you only need to set the ISO and shutter speed, and your camera will automatically choose the right aperture. Much easier.

Step 4

When you are completely ready to take the photo, there is one more thing to keep in mind: pressing the button. When you press the shutter button, your camera can also move. That is why it is useful to turn on your camera’s self-timer or use a separate timer or remote control.

Step 5

You are now fully ready. Start shooting and experiment with the different settings to get the best possible result.

Extra tips for photographing light trails

Besides this step-by-step plan, there are a few more things to keep in mind. For example, it is best to shoot your photos in RAW. This gives you more options when editing your photos later. It is also smart to fully charge your battery or bring an extra battery. Because the shutter speed is so long, your camera also uses more power. There are also many other ways to use this technique. Think of photos of a moving starry sky, or those fun photos you often see around New Year’s where people write in the air with sparklers. For more tips about this, you can watch the video below.

Step-by-step plan for photographing water

Although there are many chances to experiment with a long shutter speed in the evening, there is also plenty to capture during the day. Nature is also perfect for photos with a long shutter speed. Seas and waterfalls are especially suitable for this. By using a long shutter speed, you can make the water look very special, almost as if it is dancing through the landscape. We will now explain how to do this.

Step 1

First, you need to find the perfect location for your photo. Look for a place with flowing water, whether that is by the coast or near a waterfall. It is very important that there is also something in that location that does not move, so you can focus on it. Think, for example, of a branch, a rock, or something sticking out above the water. Also keep in mind that you need to be able to use your equipment safely there, without it getting wet.

Step 2

It is a matter of taste, but a wide-angle lens is usually used for photos of flowing water. This allows you to capture the openness and beauty of nature, which is emphasised by the water. So choose a lens with a focal length between 7 and 40 millimetres.

Step 3

Use a tripod, so your camera stays as still as possible and only the water gets the special effect.

Step 4

Next, it is time for the settings. Set the ISO as low as possible and make your aperture as small as possible, meaning the highest possible number. You can also choose to slightly overexpose your photo using the exposure setting. This slows the shutter down a little more and gives the water a special highlight. With the right settings, the surroundings are completely sharp, while the water gets a special effect. Once the ISO and aperture are set, you can start setting the shutter speed. The rule here is: the longer the shutter speed, the smoother the water will look. Different shutter speeds will give different results. This also depends on the water and how fast it is flowing. So try different shutter speeds, from 1/5 of a second to a few seconds, so you can discover what gives the best result.

Step 5

Here too, it is important that the camera stays as still as possible. So use a self-timer when taking your photos and start experimenting.

Extra tips for photographing water

Cameras and water do not go well together, unless you have an underwater housing. So be careful near water and take precautions. For example, there are useful rain covers that protect your camera and lens against water drops, which can be very helpful when photographing waterfalls. If you want to take photos from the water, it is also important to have a strong tripod that can handle water well. Also look at tripods with spikes, so you have extra grip when working in flowing water.

You now know several techniques for taking photos with a long shutter speed. With these, you can discover what is possible when you experiment with your camera settings. This is very fun, but it also helps you get to know your camera’s possibilities better. Do not forget to share the result with us. We are very curious to see it.