Light trails

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tarik2d

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Tarik
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Hi all, I'm new here and have just started photography seriously. I have just got my new camera and was playing about with it last night trying to make some light trails. I used the mirrior up function. I tried it on manual and put the fnumber to 9 but didnt get anything. When i tried it on Programed auto it worked but wasnt as good as i wanted it to me.

If anyone could help that would be fantastic :)
 
Hi and welcome to the forums..
What camera do you have?

You need to set it on shutter priority and choose how blurred you want teh lights.
(longer speed, longer the trails)
 
its a setting in manual mode roll the wheel exposure (shutter speed) until it appears, then you can use it with cable rease and on a tripod and have as many seconds open you want, what camera do you have
 
Yeah, i recently learned how to do light trails, you have to decrease the shutter speed (i found about 6-8 secs was good, but depends on how dark it is and how much traffic there is.

you also have to change the aperture (f stop) - the way i found out how to do this was simply go out, and set up your camera to a low shutter speed, and take a selection of photos using different f stop values, you will see if it is right by how dark or bright the photo is... if you just play with it too, its the best way to learn what each thing does!! (screw reading boring manuals!!) :P

i have a Canon G10, and i got some good trails using ISO 80, f - 4.0 & Shutter speed - 8.0 secs.

post them if you manage to get any good ones! :D
 
this was done on bulb

Exposure: 30 sec (30)
Aperture: f/8
Focal Length: 18 mm
ISO 100

1870169646_0efc131108.jpg
 
Hi

i did this one while on a visit to london ... it was my first time having a go at light trails

i had forgotten to take my tripod .. so had to rest camera on railings ..

called london lights

shooting details

Camera: Canon EOS 5D
Exposure: 1.3
Aperture: f/8.0
Focal Length: 47 mm
ISO Speed: 800
Lens: EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM

3530065979_0309c25fc3_o.jpg
 
tarik2d said:
santana007, what do you mean by the exposure 1.3? is that the time?
Click to expand...


1.30 sec shutter .. there was little traffic so longer shutter would just over expose the buldings, and i didn't want a solid light trail . If you look you can see through the light trail and still see the buildings .

the upper trail is a buss going past .. My wife loved it and had it put on canvas for our dining room .. Myself i'm never happy and try to take better .
all you can do is mess around with different settings to get what you are happy with .. it all depends weather you want solid light trails or soft ..

with just dave's shot the longer ex gives him his solid trail .. there was a steady stream of trafic .. i had two cars and a bus ..

also got this one GHOST KOP

2528703223_0b0a7b29c4_b.jpg
 
I think the compression and perspective a telephoto lens gives an image will make an awesome light trails image.

Sorry to hear about you losing your job mate :( tough times :(
gives you plenty of time to catch sunsets/sunrises and do night time photography though :thumbs: silver lining and all that!
 
foodpoison said:
I think the compression and perspective a telephoto lens gives an image will make an awesome light trails image.

Sorry to hear about you losing your job mate :( tough times :(
gives you plenty of time to catch sunsets/sunrises and do night time photography though :thumbs: silver lining and all that!
Click to expand...


Cheers mate, yeah I do CG stuff mainly architecture so hoping to get some photography skills. Yes indeed trying to look on the positive :) i might buy a cheap normal lens about 100 pounds this weekend hehe

santana007: thats cool that, i like how the street lights flare out, we;ve had a few archi shots done at work (ex-work) also googled light painting - how cool is that ! lol :D
 
tarik2d said:
Cheers mate, yeah I do CG stuff mainly architecture so hoping to get some photography skills. Yes indeed trying to look on the positive :) i might buy a cheap normal lens about 100 pounds this weekend hehe

santana007: thats cool that, i like how the street lights flare out, we;ve had a few archi shots done at work (ex-work) also googled light painting - how cool is that ! lol :D
Click to expand...


Sorry to hear about the job m8 ... what did you do .. i have lost my job twice in my time .. and both times it was the kick up the backside to do something else ... i'm now lucky enough to be a househusband .. look forward m8 ..... it sounds like you are .

another thing to try is motion blur .. looking forward to seeing some results :thumbs:

Rog
 
Light trials are one of the coolest thing you can do when you get a DSLR. This was taken in M mode and open for 37 Seconds using the remote.

2617300010_392dd0ca43.jpg
 
D40 and kit lens.

Exposure: 37 sec (37)
Aperture: f/3.5
Focal Length: 18 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV

Don't know why it was on f3.5 but I was a noob back then.

You have to use the remote on bulb mode, otherwise you'll have to hold the shutter down with your finger.
 
benwall said:
Light trials are one of the coolest thing you can do when you get a DSLR. This was taken in M mode and open for 37 Seconds using the remote.

2617300010_392dd0ca43.jpg
Click to expand...

Nice shot m8

just shows many ways of getting the shot you want ... there are no rules .. :thumbs:

Rog
 
Nice m8

i'll bet tarik2d is more confused than ever :lol:

as i say so many ways and no rules ... just get out there and have a go

Rog :thumbs:
 
its more trial and error to see what you like. But the main things are:

1. tripod
2. long open shutter
3. enjoy it!
 
img_1514_20090328_1201596151.jpg


Shutter priority, ISO 100, 4 secs open

watch a car go past, count how long it take to make the trail you want, then set the shutter speed to that time. Its like taking photos of Lightning, its much easier than it looks.

or make it a look a little different by waving your having around in front of the camera to chop the trails up

img_5030_20090328_2097175370.jpg


one more for luck
img_5102_20090328_1927956904.jpg
 
grahamc said:
its more trial and error to see what you like. But the main things are:

1. tripod
2. long open shutter
3. enjoy it!
Click to expand...

well as i said i forgot my tripod .. used a railing .. did have a remote shutter release though :lol:

as you say trial and error .. but the possibility's are endless .. what ever you do is your stamp m8 :thumbs:
 
You can pick up a moderately decent tripod for around £15.

The more money you spend, the better quality you'll get, but a £200 tripod is NOT the be all and end all.

I have a Hama Star 62, got it second hand for £18.
I also have a manfrotto 190xb, for £75.
 
True very true aboout the wall, i used a box off tissues to prop up my camera last night hehe, was only in the kitchen.

O right cool thats a good price.

Does anyone know if the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 D AF Lens is good for stuff like this? or just generally a good lens?
 
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