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How to shoot long exposure portraits combining flash and continuous light in the studio

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Sometimes it can be great to flex your skills and show off your lighting prowess, but we can often run into the danger of the image being more about the lighting technique rather than the look of the final image itself. This is something I always try and hammer home when I’m teaching new techniques.

Is there anybody here old enough to remember the horrendous HDR portraits of the early 2000s? The images were all about showing off the latest HDR technique rather than the subjects themselves and the results were nothing short of terrifying. Too young and have no idea what I’m talking about? Just Google HDR portraits and you’ll see what I mean.

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This magical photo will remind you why you need to go out and shoot without procrastinating

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We’ve featured some of Tim Gamble’s magnificent photos before, and I instantly became a fan of his work. While he often does experimental long exposure photography, this time something different caught my eye. It’s one of those photos that make you stop and stare in awe, while at the same time trying to figure out what’s in it. Thankfully, Tim was kind enough to share the details of the shot with DIYP, as well as some backstory that will make you grab your camera and go out and shoot.

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Taking the “impossible” photos of the Milky Way above the foggy Golden Gate Bridge

Sometimes, the best things happen when we don’t plan them at all. It goes for many things in life, and photos are no exception. Michael Shainblum recently had to change his shooting plans and it led him to seeing the Milky Way above the Golden Gate Bridge bathing in fog. He was certain it would be impossible to capture the scene, but he gave it a shot – and he nailed it! Michael shared his adventure in his recent video, along with some gorgeous photos he took, which he also kindly shared with DIYP.

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This crazy light painted silhouette was shot in just a single long exposure

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Sometimes you’re scrolling on social media and an image just makes you stop and go back to have another look. You scratch your head, trying to figure out how they shot it. Must be Photoshop magic you think. You read the caption “taken in one exposure” and think ‘wait, what?’ That’s exactly what happened when we saw this incredible image titled WAKE UP by a group of light painting photographers who call themselves Sketchlight.

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The secrets to great long exposure photography

I remember the first time I saw an image captured using the long exposure photography technique. It blew me away. The skies were stretched across the sky and the water as soft as silk. How was it even possible?

Little did I know that this technique would become a game changer for me. Not only did learning this technique help me understand the fundamental camera settings, it helped develop my creative vision.

A decade later I’m still fascinated with long exposure photography. My approach has changed during the years but it’s still part of who I am.

It’s fair to say that there’s been many ups and downs during these years. From learning the very basics to tackling more complex and creative approaches. Many lessons are learned the hard way and that’s part of what I want to help you avoid.

So, read on and I’ll tell you the secrets of great long exposure photography.

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A beer can pinhole camera captures 8-year’s worth of sunrises and sunsets

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Taking photos with a pinhole camera requires very long exposures. But how about eight years long exposure? Artist Regina Valkenborgh made a pinhole camera from a simple beer can and he took a solargraph that’s believed to be the longest exposure photo ever taken. The camera recorded the sun’s path across the sky for eight years, capturing nearly 3,000 sunrises and sunsets.

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How to create this “time traveler” photo with light painting and some simple props

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As long as you have your camera and some lights, you can never be bored. There are countless images you can create with light painting, and the only limit is your imagination. But if you need some inspiration to get you started,  Jason D. Page has an awesome tutorial for you. In this video, he creates a photo of a “time traveler.” All he uses are a few simple props and some lights, and it’s all done in-camera.

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Learn to light paint this dreamy sailboat photo entirely in-camera

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Light painting is something we truly love here at DIYP. It’s also an ideal pastime now that travels and social activities are limited. Grab your camera, tripod, and lights – and you don’t have to leave your home to great magical, dreamy, even surreal scenes.

In this video, Jason D. Page has a great tutorial for you. He shows you how to create a dreamy sailboat scene entirely in-camera. The end results look like paintings, and in a way, they are: after all, they were painted with light.

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