Can anybody give me some pointers on shooting light trails? I tried it for the first time and I was unable to limit the light getting in, I stopped it right down to f22, adjusted the exposure compensation to it's lowest setting, -5 but the shots were still coming out completely white. Do I need a filter on the front to further limit the light getting to the lens? Any help gratefully received!
Shooting light trails?
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Andy
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Light trails is one of my favorite types of photography. Firstly f22 is to high, wouldn't go more than f11 for the simple fact of that you don't need to go any higher. Set your shutter speed around 15 seconds and work higher or lower from there. Self timer on a tripod is a must always. No need for a filter. ISO low as possible, normally 100. 
D_Fivehundred
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I took this recently at late evening, it was pretty much dark by the time I left...
20 seconds
f22
iso 200
20 seconds
f22
iso 200
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Yeah, you need a series of shortish exposures and then stack them together using something like the Startrails s/w - here.
Easiest done with an intervalometer - eg here so that you can set the camera up and leave it whilst it merrily fires off a couple of hundred 15 second (or so) exposures while you're in the pub.
I've used that software - it just works
This was a series of 30 second exposures done as described above. The slight staccato effect in the trails is because I left too long a gap between exposures.
/edit
Ah - you meant light trails (just as per your title)
Oh, well the star trail stuff maybe useful for someone.
Easiest done with an intervalometer - eg here so that you can set the camera up and leave it whilst it merrily fires off a couple of hundred 15 second (or so) exposures while you're in the pub.
I've used that software - it just works
This was a series of 30 second exposures done as described above. The slight staccato effect in the trails is because I left too long a gap between exposures.
/edit
Ah - you meant light trails (just as per your title)
Oh, well the star trail stuff maybe useful for someone.
D_Fivehundred
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Light trails, or starlight trails...? The methods are different
Andy
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Light trails, or starlight trails...? The methods are different
Was just about to post the same question, I thought he meant light trails from cars.
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He did. I got the wrong end of the stick.
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You probably need to go out later.
Check your ISO setting too - you really shouldn't need that extreme of f/22 and -5 EV to get something usable.
Even in daylight (albeit getting towards sunset) you'll get motion blur at f/22
