Long Exposure Photography

A photo of flowing water using long exposure photography

Long exposure photography techniques can be used to obtain many different special effects. One that I hear people ask about regularly is how to achieve “milky water”. This effect is often seen on landscape photos of streams, waterfalls or beaches, where the majority of the scene looks perfectly normal, but the water looks like wisps of fog or cotton. Some people think that the water in these photos looks milky, hence the term “milky water”. To achieve the milky water effect there are a few basic elements that you’ll need to use, and a few others that are totally dependent on the environment on the day.

Night Photography

Night Photography - Light Trails

Have you ever seen night photography? Those dark, artistic looking photos that seem to overlook a road or freeway but instead of cars, there are red and white streaks of light drawn across the frame that seem to disappear into the blackness? Have you ever wondered what these photos are of or how they are achieved?

Put simply, these photos with the trademark red and white streaks are long exposure photographs taken in low light or at night, often called night photography. The photographer will leave the shutter open for a long period to compensate for the lack of light and as the cars pass by the camera, the bright head and tail lights are burned into the sensor or film.

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The Hobby Photographer

All things camera and photo for the photography hobbyist

Category Archives: Long Exposure Photography

Long Exposure Photography

Long Exposure Photography

Night Photography

Night Photography