Long Exposure shots?

by **Kody.B** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 3:12 pm

So I've been doing a bit of research as of late with long exposure shots.

As far as I know, you set your aperture to low and shutter speed to 15-30 seconds for the set up.

Then, leaving the camera on a tripod, you add like around the car with a torch/iPhone which is picked up as the camera does it's thing, black magic happens, and bam, a great shot at night.

A mate has kindly donated his car for some shots and I want to have a go at it.

Does anyone have any hints or instructions on how to do it?

by **JDGT05** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 3:32 pm

Tangcla is the master of 'light painting'

But is quite secretive (understandably)

My best results have been with LED lighting, but the reflections I get a quite harsh.

This is from ages ago, but you get the idea, will be doing some tomorrow night so ill send some through then also.

by **Kody.B** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 3:58 pm

Awesome shot! Thanks for the info.

So the technique of slowing down the shutter speed, lowering the aperture, and lighting it all with a torch is correct?

I'm on TIFF/RAW quality and Shutter speed is set from 15-30seconds depending on my preference.

0eV, generally, what eV is good for long exposure? My value changes automatically with the shutter speed obviously. AE lock on or off? what else do I have to change?

I completely understand people not wanting to let out their settings, I'm new to photography so sorry if I am asking anything that could be taken as offensive.

by **JDGT05** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 4:35 pm

Kody.B wrote:Awesome shot! Thanks for the info.

So the technique of slowing down the shutter speed, lowering the aperture, and lighting it all with a torch is correct?

Might not be the correct method, but it's how I've done it in the past, best thing I can recommend is clear a few hours go and test a bunch of different ideas most commonly used on youtube!

by **mitch2147** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 4:40 pm

- Point the torch towards the car and focus the camera, then turn off auto focus.
- Keep ISO low at 200
- 15-30 second exposure
- Aperture is variable and can be f/5.6, f/8, f/11 etc
- Take photo
- Walk around car with the light shining over panels, wheels, roof. I use an LED work light, sometimes diffused.
- Done

Toyota 86 by mitch2147, on Flickr

Subaru Liberty Star Trails by mitch2147, on Flickr

by **Kody.B** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 4:57 pm

Awesome, thanks guys! I will be trying it out on my car tonight before I do my mates car, hopefully it goes well.

Thanks again to you both

by **Kody.B** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 8:50 pm

Well I gave it a go.

Still have a lot to work on with it but for a first attempt, in my backyard (only place dark enough...) with a shotty torch that kept cutting out (cbf'd walking/driving back to the house) I am not displeased with it. I just think it could be better.

But not bad for a first attempt I guess.

by **mitch2147** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 9:15 pm

Good result I think. Just like any other type of photography, you have to keep practicing so you get better every time.

Try different settings, angles, light sources etc and you will find out what works best.

by **Kody.B** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 9:26 pm

Thanks mate!

Yeah, practice will make perfect. Plenty of practice to go however XD

by **mynameisdaniel** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 9:34 pm

A few tips, looking at that attempt

-A brighter light that's diffused better will give you a better light spread so the paint won't look so patchy
-Walk past the car with the light at different heights, you'll be able to get rid of the shadows under the front that way
-Do a few walks from further away so the halo around the car is a bit more even/gradual
-My exposures usually go for 40-60 seconds, gives me time to move the light slowly and smoothly
-Silver and white are the easiest colours to do by far! Work out how to do it on a dark car and you'll have it mastered

by **JDGT05** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 11:29 pm

mitch2147 wrote:Good result I think. Just like any other type of photography, you have to keep practicing so you get better every time.

Try different settings, angles, light sources etc and you will find out what works best.

What is a good example of a light diffuser? This is what I struggle with haha

by **mynameisdaniel** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 11:46 pm

JDGT05 wrote:
mitch2147 wrote:Good result I think. Just like any other type of photography, you have to keep practicing so you get better every time.

Try different settings, angles, light sources etc and you will find out what works best.

What is a good example of a light diffuser? This is what I struggle with haha

I use something like this. There's cheaper ones but I'm lazy. A bit of black tape on the back stops any light from coming through and hitting the camera

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/110957057171

by **Kody.B** » Wed Mar 27, 2013 7:31 am

Awesome! Thanks for the advice!

Ill be doing a dark grey car soon so ill see how that goes.
The torch I used kept cutting in and out haha :/

by **mitch2147** » Wed Mar 27, 2013 10:41 am

mynameisdaniel wrote:
JDGT05 wrote:What is a good example of a light diffuser? This is what I struggle with haha

I use something like this. There's cheaper ones but I'm lazy. A bit of black tape on the back stops any light from coming through and hitting the camera

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/110957057171

I need to get one of those. Currently I use a sheet of paper to cover the light or some tissues haha.

by **tangcla** » Wed Mar 27, 2013 12:12 pm

mynameisdaniel wrote:-Silver and white are the easiest colours to do by far! Work out how to do it on a dark car and you'll have it mastered

Still hate working with dark cars, and I've been doing this for years.
I half bought the S4 thinking I was going to practice with black.