Low Light, Long Exposure Photography
Want to learn how to take pictures of fireworks or lightning? Want to be able to take those cool pictures with only a background and the blur of a light or of writing in the air with light? Well you can create all these effects and more using one simple rule: low light, long exposure.
All you need is a tripod and a camera with an adjustable shutter speed. Set up in an area with little or no light (except the subject of your picture, of course) and set the shutter to be very slow (several seconds). Be sure not to move or jerk the camera when your picture is being taken (using a camera remote helps, but is not needed) and you can capture moving lights and objects creating unique, artsy, or just plain cool pictures. Below are a few examples to start with, but there’s really no limit to what you can do.
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3 Common Photography Mistakes
Blurry photos, lens flare, red eye…we all see them in our pictures from time to time. Here are some helpful tips to prevent undesirable effects and take more consistent shots.
1. Blurry Photos
Especially in low-light situations, blurry photos can kill a shot for both amateurs and professionals alike. In cameras with auto-focus settings, make sure your camera is fully-focused before snapping the shutter. If shaky hands is the issue, try keeping a portable monopod or tripod available if possible. Or, my favorite trick, find a solid object near your vantage point to anchor your camera on. Cars, boulders, trees, edges of buildings have all served me well on my travels. In well-lit situations, use a faster ISO setting in your digital camera–the increased shutter speed usually means less shakes will be produced.
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