How do I create light trails while keeping the subject sharp on a Nikon P510?
Asked 4/5/2013
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2 answers
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I want to make an image with light trails in the background or around a subject, but keep the subject from looking blurry. I'm using a Nikon P510. What shooting technique should I use to get this effect?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
17
Based on how the second photo looks, my guess is that it was extremely dark and that they took a flash photo with a bulb exposure and then tilted the camera upwards to create the trails from the only lights in the room (which would have been the audio gear).
This would leave the DJ well developed since he is only exposed during the flash and then expose the light trail from the gear over the top of the initial exposure.
Originally by user11392. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user11392
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Use a long exposure in a dark scene, with the camera held steady on a tripod. The light streaks come from moving lights during the exposure, often called light trails or light painting.
To keep the subject sharp, expose the subject briefly with flash while the shutter is open. One common method is a bulb or other long exposure in a very dark room, fire the flash to freeze the person, then move or tilt the camera or let other lights move to create the trails. Because the subject is mainly lit by the short flash burst, they can stay sharp while the other lights smear into lines.
Key points:
- Shoot in a very dark environment.
- Use a tripod for the base exposure.
- Use a long shutter speed.
- Use flash to freeze the subject.
- Move the light source, or move/tilt the camera after the flash, to create the trails.
If the room is too bright, the subject will blur during the long exposure, so darkness is important.
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