Photography Tips and Tricks

Light trails are fun and easy to create for beginners using with digital cameras and the results can look really professional. A light trail is created when the photographer uses a very slow shutter speed to photograph cars or other lit moving objects at night.

Equipment

First, you need some basic equipment. Besides your camera, you will need a tripod and cable shutter to eliminate camera shake and blurred images. A lens hood is handy to prevent glare on your lens from outdoor lighting, but it isn’t necessary.

Timing

Generally, you can photograph light trails any time of night. For a little splash of ambient lighting, though, you should take your photos just after the sun goes down or just before it comes up. The warm glow of the sun will add a little extra color and interest to the photo.

Also, try to choose a time of night when there is a lot of traffic. Right after sunset you will probably be able to photograph quite a bit more cars than at 2 a.m., for example.

Location

The best place to set up your equipment is a hill, fire escape, or window overlooking a busy street. An overpass can be good, too, as long as it’s not dangerous to set up there.

Make sure that your spot is as dark as possible, with the only bright lights coming from the cars themselves.

Getting the Shot

After you have the gear, the best timing, and the best location, the rest is easy. To achieve clear light trail, set your digital camera to night mode (an icon that looks like a moon) or ISO mode and turn off the flash.

Adjust your tripod so that you have a clear shot of your subject. If you don’t have a cable shutter, set your timer and press the shutter button. Step back and wait for your camera to take the picture.

Now review your image. Is there a nice light trail? If not, try these tips:

Make sure you take the picture when there are many cars passing by. One or two won’t make a good light trail.

Set your camera to Manual and adjust the aperture to a mid-range such as f/8 and your shutter speed to around 10 to 20 seconds. Increase your aperture one stop if your image is overexposed. If it is underexposed lower the aperture one stop.

If you have an interest in architecture, chances are you want to photograph it. Here are some tips to making your photos interesting while capturing the building’s uniqueness.

Look at the Details

Interesting buildings are composed of many different details that you want to focus on in your photographs. Take note of any arches, towers, doorways, or windows with unusual shapes and make sure that your photo highlights these areas.

How? Remember the Rule of Thirds. Use your viewfinder to visualize the end result and make your most interesting objects go in the “thirds” area. Or, put more simply, your focal point should be in the upper or lower right or left of the finished picture for the most impact.

Keep the Angle Right

Large buildings, such as skyscrapers, can pose problems. Certain angles can make the building look as if it is leaning.

To avoid this, try not to take photos of buildings by standing at the bottom and looking up. This will make the photo look like it is leaning away from you. Instead, get as far away from the building as possible and take the picture. Not only will this keep the building from leaning, it will also give the building a frame of reference because the viewer will be able to see how tall the building is compared to other buildings.

If you have to stand at the bottom of the building to photograph it, stand to the side and aim up. This will give you a more interesting angle.

Zoom In

Don’t be afraid to use your zoom as much as possible. Zoom in and capture details that the average viewer wouldn’t be able to see. For example, this gargoyle was at the top of a very tall building. Normally, no one would know it was there. Using a zoom, he finally gets the attention he deserves and he makes a great subject.

Don’t forget to zoom in on large architectural elements, too. Domes can be fascinating and abstract when zoomed in on.

Night Scenes

Don’t forget to take photos at night! Some of the best architectural photographs are taken at night. Set your tripod up and set your camera on a low ISO. Use your timer to reduce camera shake and start snapping. Look for bright lights and lots of color for the best images.

The best way to get good at photographing buildings is practice and taking tons of photos. So get shooting!