10 tips for better long exposure photography

Long exposure photography allows you to create dramatic, otherworldly images by capturing motion over time. From smooth waterfalls to light trails and dreamy seascapes, the creative potential is huge, but getting it right requires more than just a slow shutter speed.

In this guide, we’ll explore 10 essential tips to help you improve your long exposure photography, whether you’re shooting at night, in daylight, or somewhere in between.

1. Use a sturdy tripod to avoid camera shake

When taking long exposure photographs, it’s essential to eliminate all camera shake and vibrations. Even minor handshake can affect exposures longer than 1/60th of a second, and many long exposure shots last several minutes. To keep your camera stable, use a sturdy tripod or place it on a flat, solid surface. If you're shooting in windy conditions, stabilizing your setup with a weight — such as a bag of sand or uncooked rice — placed on top of the camera or tripod can improve stability during long exposures.

Pressing the shutter manually can also introduce vibrations. To avoid this, use a cable release or remote shutter trigger. If your camera has built-in Wi-Fi, you can connect it to a smartphone using a live view app. These apps often include remote shutter functionality, eliminating the need for a separate cable release and giving you more control over your long exposure photography setup.

2. Master ND filters for daytime long exposure photography

ND filters, or Neutral Density filters, are thin pieces of glass or resin that attach to the front of your lens. Their purpose is to block light from reaching the camera sensor, allowing for significantly longer exposure times — a key requirement in long exposure photography. These filters are especially useful when shooting long exposures during daylight, as bright sunlight can otherwise make slow shutter speeds nearly impossible.

By reducing the amount of incoming light, ND filters give you the flexibility to use wider apertures during long exposures. However, not all ND filters are created equal. Low-quality filters may introduce unwanted effects such as image distortion, vignetting, or a noticeable color cast. To ensure the best results in your shots, take time to research and invest in high-quality filters that suit your camera system.

3. Shoot in manual or bulb mode for full control

Many DSLRs offer pre-programmed modes that automatically set your shutter speed and aperture. However, these modes also rely on automatic metering, which often leads to inconsistent or incorrect exposures for long exposure photography.

For better control and more reliable results, switch to Manual mode, where you can set the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO yourself. If your long exposure exceeds 30 seconds, use Bulb mode. In Bulb mode, the shutter remains open from the moment you press the shutter release button until you release it. This gives you full control over extended exposure times, making it ideal for night photography, star trails, and other creative long exposure techniques.

4. Shoot in RAW format for maximum flexibility

Shooting long exposure photos can be challenging, especially when you're just starting out. To give yourself the best chance at success, shoot in RAW format rather than JPEG. RAW files retain much more image data, which gives you greater flexibility in post-processing.

If your long exposure is slightly overexposed or underexposed, RAW files allow you to recover highlights, adjust shadows, and fine-tune white balance with far better results. In contrast, shooting in JPEG limits your ability to correct exposure or fix technical issues, as the file contains less data and more compression.

5. Visualise your composition before you start

Before adjusting any camera settings, take time to visualise the scene you want to capture. This is an ideal moment to take a few test shots using a regular exposure. Doing so helps ensure your composition is strong before committing to a full long exposure, which can be time-consuming. There's nothing more frustrating than waiting minutes for an exposure only to end up with a dull or poorly framed image.

Long exposure photography works best when it highlights the contrast between motion and stillness. Think ahead about the movement you want to capture, whether it's flowing water, light trails, passing clouds, or moving people. Then identify the stationary elements in your scene, such as buildings, rocks, or trees, that will emphasize that motion and anchor your composition.

Test shots are also a great opportunity to lock in your focus. Since you’ll likely be working in low-light environments, such as night scenes, dark studios, or using Neutral Density filters, your camera’s autofocus may struggle. To avoid missed focus, switch to manual focus and carefully set your focus point before attaching any filters.

6. Calculate your exposure time accurately

Depending on the lighting and tones in your scene, most cameras can meter and calculate a correct exposure for shutter speeds up to 30 seconds. However, if you're planning a long exposure that exceeds 30 seconds or you're using ND filters to reduce light, you'll need to manually calculate your exposure settings.

If doing the math in your head sounds overwhelming, consider carrying a reciprocal exposure chart in your camera bag. These charts help you quickly convert your base exposure into longer shutter speeds when using different strength ND filters. You can also use mobile apps like Exposure Calculator (available on iOS and Android), which simplify the process by doing the calculations for you. These tools are especially useful for ensuring accurate long exposure photography settings without the guesswork.

7. Shoot at the lowest ISO to minimize noise

Although modern cameras can perform well at higher ISO settings, long exposure photography often introduces noise, particularly in darker areas of the image. To reduce this, it is best to shoot at the lowest ISO possible, such as ISO 100 or 200.

Many cameras offer a long exposure noise reduction feature, but using this at high ISO values can sometimes increase the appearance of grain rather than reduce it. While noise can be addressed in post-processing, starting with a clean image by using a low ISO will give you much better results.

8. Consider using a polarising filter for landscape scenes

A polarising filter is another useful tool for long exposure photography, particularly in landscape settings. Like an ND filter, it is a piece of glass that screws onto the front of your lens. While its main purpose is not to block light, it offers several benefits that can enhance your images.

Polarising filters help reduce glare and reflections on wet or shiny surfaces, deepen the color of skies, and minimise atmospheric haze. These effects can make your compositions more vibrant and detailed. Additionally, because polarising filters slightly tint the image, they can help reduce light entering the lens and allow for slightly slower shutter speeds.

Although they are not a replacement for ND filters when you need to block a significant amount of light, polarising filters can sometimes give you one or two extra stops of exposure time in certain lighting conditions.

9. Cover your viewfinder to prevent light leaks

While light leaks are uncommon in standard exposures, they can become a problem during long exposure photography. Light can enter through the viewfinder and cause issues such as haze or unwanted flares in your final image. Even a small leak can significantly affect a long exposure.

Avoid covering the viewfinder with your thumb, as this can introduce camera movement. Instead, use a piece of gaffer’s tape or a dedicated viewfinder cap to block the light. When setting up your shot, compose your image using your camera’s live view screen. This method helps ensure that no stray light compromises your long exposure results.

10. Keep track of the weather when shooting outdoors

When shooting long exposure photography outdoors, it is important to consider how the weather will affect both your composition and the gear you need to bring. Use reliable weather apps like AccuWeather to check forecasts a few days in advance. These apps often provide hourly updates for specific locations, helping you plan your shoot more effectively.

To capture dynamic sky movement, avoid completely clear days, as they tend to produce less interesting compositions. Partly cloudy conditions often work best, especially when clouds are moving across the frame. Shooting around sunrise or sunset, when the sun is low in the sky, can enhance contrast and add warmth or drama to your long exposure images.

Your path to better long exposure photos

Long exposure photography is a rewarding technique that transforms ordinary scenes into extraordinary visual stories. By slowing down your shutter speed and carefully controlling light and motion, you can create images that capture mood, movement, and atmosphere in ways standard exposures cannot.

Success comes through preparation. From selecting the right gear to understanding light and composition. Use the tips in this guide to strengthen your skills, and with continued practice, your long exposure photos will begin to truly stand out.

About the contributor

Feature Shoot showcases the work of emerging and established photographers worldwide, highlighting those transforming the medium through compelling, cutting-edge projects, with contributions from writers from all over the world.