I recently moved from Tucson, Arizona to Modesto, California.
I finished my Ph.D. in Political Science focusing on American Government and International Relations. I have a...
You've got a great idea! But, I will admit: sunset light trails are very difficult.
The first thing you need to do is adjust your composition. The red tail light streaks across the bottom are more distracting than good. I would like to just see the road in the distance with the vehicles moving in both directions.
You need to tweak your camera settings, and this is where the sunset will become difficult. To get good light trails you need exposures of at least 15 seconds. At 3.2 seconds you ended up with dotted little trails instead of long, steady streaks.
But...you're already at f/32. Well...you can't use that with light trails. Usually f/8 is the smallest to get good trails. But what happens then?
Oops...the sunset will completely blow out the photo. Here is the tricky part: you need an ND Grad filter. I have an ND3 Grad Filter that I use in situations like this from time to time. With the grad filter you would be able to have long exposures for the light trails without blowing out the sky.
So, now that you have my recommendation, I have a request: will you try this again?
This came out very nice. Some recommendations follow: Don't stop your lens down past f/16, maximum image sharpness will be between f/11-f/22 with consumer zooms. A high quality lens will be sharp at it's minimum aperture with the best setting 1-2 stops higher. You see the blurry quality of the the image is a combination of diffraction effects at f/32 and probably a bit of subject and tripod motion. To stabilize the tripod more hang something heavy below the central post, if it's not windy have it hanging by a piece of cord or flexible links. Always use the lowest ISO setting to minimize sensor noise during long exposures. To reduce light going to the image plane attach a good quality(multicoated) circular polarizing filter(-1.5-2 stops) or a neutral density filter. Point sources of light will be the biggest challenge to render as sharp on the sensor, the diffraction effects are enhanced through wave interactions of the photons with the diaphragm edge(a narrow aperture has a higher ratio of edge to aperture area, so more photons displaced in the final image). It is physics, sorry for the pain it must cause a Political Science major. :)
I agree with Nod. Longer exposure, but I think the front trails distracts just slightly. You don't get to appreciate the back trails because of the one long trail cutting across them and then the red trails at the bottom. I can see it's the other side of the road, so I'm not sure how you'd change this though.
Was that a bus or truck that went by? It's so high as compared with the others.
So @jasonbarnette what you are saying is that Kerri needs to buy another lens? Jason makes a good point, Kerri, but what I was going to say before the way better photographer commented was that my suggestion would be to take more because I kind of like it. :)
@jasonbarnette :D I don't know when I will be able to go out and try it. I'm usually in class at the optimal times. However, if weather permits, I might try again tomorrow. However, it looks like weather will permit for light trails and lightning instead.
Thank you Kerri for posting this. Reading the recommendations have given me several ideas. Before reading their answers, I would have suggested cropping the bright red off the bottom and some off the right to restore the balance
@kerristephens However, I'm working on publishing my first photography book. On light trails. It was something I started months ago so I might as well finish it. I'm about 70% complete.
So...I might just go out and shoot my own light trails tomorrow. The beat is on.
Hmmmm, interesting reading all these recommendations. I went with my first instinct, which was "this is a beautiful image" - still think so, and I hold fast to my opinion:)
Love how this turned out and also appreciate hearing the feedback on shooting these light trails! I look forward to seeing another shot when you have time to do one!
Cool shot, I did my first kind of light trail the other day but with a fully automatic P&S and was pleased with the result, this is far better though I shall venture out with my DSLR and get another shot, i have no advice except keep trying.
how fun - I just went back and read a little of your feedback. I'm no expert, so don't listen to me, but I actually LIKE that big read streak at the bottom. What I would get rid of (not with cropping, but with "fill/content aware" function in photoshop if it works) would be the little part of a palm tree on the left.
The first thing you need to do is adjust your composition. The red tail light streaks across the bottom are more distracting than good. I would like to just see the road in the distance with the vehicles moving in both directions.
You need to tweak your camera settings, and this is where the sunset will become difficult. To get good light trails you need exposures of at least 15 seconds. At 3.2 seconds you ended up with dotted little trails instead of long, steady streaks.
But...you're already at f/32. Well...you can't use that with light trails. Usually f/8 is the smallest to get good trails. But what happens then?
Oops...the sunset will completely blow out the photo. Here is the tricky part: you need an ND Grad filter. I have an ND3 Grad Filter that I use in situations like this from time to time. With the grad filter you would be able to have long exposures for the light trails without blowing out the sky.
So, now that you have my recommendation, I have a request: will you try this again?
Was that a bus or truck that went by? It's so high as compared with the others.
And Kerri...I'll be waiting. And not patiently. Hurry it up :D
So...I might just go out and shoot my own light trails tomorrow. The beat is on.