The Science of Long Exposure
Long exposure photography extends your shutter speed beyond what you can handhold, revealing motion in ways the naked eye cannot perceive. Water becomes silk, clouds streak across the sky, and crowds of people vanish from busy squares.
Essential Gear
| Filter Strength |
Light Reduction |
Use Case |
| 3-stop (ND8) |
8x |
Subtle water blur in bright conditions |
| 6-stop (ND64) |
64x |
Classic waterfall silk effect |
| 10-stop (ND1000) |
1000x |
Daytime cloud movement, ghost removal |
| 15-stop |
32,000x |
Midday extreme long exposures |
The Case Against 10-Stop Filters
While popular, 10-stop filters often produce muddy colors and loss of contrast. In 2025, many professionals prefer stacking 3 and 6-stop filters for better optical quality with equivalent light reduction.
Other Essentials
- Sturdy tripod: Wind is your enemy
- Remote release: Prevents camera shake
- Lens hood: Prevents flare on filter surface
Camera Settings Fundamentals
The Base Configuration
- ISO 100 (or your camera’s base ISO)
- Aperture f/8-f/11 (lens sweet spot)
- Calculate shutter speed based on filter strength
Calculating Exposure
Without filter at f/11: 1/125 second
With 6-stop ND:
1/125 → 1/60 → 1/30 → 1/15 → 1/8 → 1/4 → 1/2 second
With 10-stop ND:
1/125 → 8 seconds
Waterfall Photography
Shutter Speed vs. Effect
| Shutter Speed |
Water Effect |
| 1/4 - 1/15 sec |
Texture preserved, slight blur |
| 1/2 - 2 sec |
Classic silk effect |
| 4 - 30 sec |
Ethereal mist |
| 60+ sec |
Complete abstraction |
Pro Technique: The Two-Shot Blend
Capture one exposure for silky water and another shorter exposure for sharp surrounding details. Blend in post-processing for ultimate control.
Seascape Long Exposure
Reading Wave Patterns
Spend 10 minutes observing before shooting. Note:
- Wave interval timing
- Receding water patterns on rocks
- Foam accumulation points
Shutter Speed Selection
- 0.5-2 seconds: Dynamic motion preserved
- 5-15 seconds: Ethereal mist around rocks
- 30-120 seconds: Mirror-calm water, cloud streaks
Star Trails
Single Exposure Method
- Shutter: 30-60 minutes
- Aperture: f/2.8-f/4
- ISO: 200-400
- Focus: Manual, set on bright star
Stacking Method (Recommended)
Capture 100+ images at 30 seconds each. Stack in software like StarStax. Benefits:
- Lower noise
- Plane/satellite removal
- Mid-shoot corrections possible
Post-Processing Long Exposures
Common Issues and Solutions
Color Cast from ND Filters
Shoot RAW and correct in post. Quality filters minimize this.
Hot Pixels in Long Exposures
Enable long exposure noise reduction (doubles capture time) or remove in Lightroom.
Soft Images
Caused by filter stacking or wind vibration. Use mirror lockup and delayed shutter.
Conclusion
Long exposure photography rewards patience and precision. Master the technical foundations, then experiment freely. The magic happens when calculation meets creativity.