Light Junkies / Discuss

AndWhyNot    says:

If you fancy taking shots like

but don't know where to start, read this.

I've noticed on various threads and pics that driving shots create interest and intrigue and folk are quite often keen to know how to set out to capture them. I've done a few of these shots now and figured I'd write a few pointers to help others shortcut their way to good results. Hope this helps.

You will need
* Manual control of shutter speed > 1-30 secs sufficient
* Tripod

You may want
* Shutter release cable
* Delayed shutter release
* Lighting (for inside vehicle)
* Bungee cords
* Suction cup

Settings
Aperture – the pivotal setting. The wider your aperture (lower f number) the more light hits your sensor in a given time period. But wide apertures also have other features – they can reduce or eliminate the destinction between multiple light sources (ie make two close-together lights appear as one) and they can increase the likelihood of blowing highlights for a given exposure length. Narrow apertures on the other hand ensure that each light source gives its own light trail but reduces the amount of light that will reach the sensor in a given exposure. Narrower apertures (say f/13 and above) can also highlight artefacts on your (DSLR) sensor so that your image ends up looking blemished. I tend to shoot between f/5 and f/8 depending on the precise effect I’m trying to achieve.

Focal length – I like to shoot as wide as poss to place the trails in context of a vehicle (ie to include driver and/ or dashboard) and to include as many light sources as poss. Also, the longer your focal length, the more your light streams will appear to be affected by bumps in the road or other vehicle movement.

ISO – I always shoot with ISO as low as poss to minimise noise and reduce likelihood/ extent of blowing highlights.

Shutter speed – you can capture movement effectively in a second or so, esp in a faster vehicle, although that would be best used in well lit urban areas – the light trails will be short like dashes, but there’ll be many of them. Neon (petrol station or shop) signs and traffic lights are cool. Longer exposure means longer trails for a given vehicle speed. For short shutter speeds you might want to use a dim lamp to light the car’s interior (for longer exposures the ambient light can do an effective job inside the car).

Vehicle speed – slower speed usually means smoother trails. A low speed long exposure can give a very different effect to a high speed short exposure – differences will include car interior light, sky saturation and intensity of light trails.

Setting up
Clean your windscreen and windows. Remove tax disc/ parking permits etc (these will interrupt your light trails). Position your tripod and secure using seatbelts, rubber bungees, gaffer tape or even just by bracing its legs against parts of the car – it helps to have a tripod with fully independent legs.



Mount your camera with the shutter release (button or cable) in reach. If you want to capture the driver’s eyes or include particular lights behind, position the car’s mirrors to provide the reflections you want. Take a static test shot to check the camera’s position (you can briefly increase your ISO to reduce the time needed for your this, but remember to change it back!) Happy? You’re ready to go.

Results
High vehicle speed, forward facing shot – streetlit motorway (rear mounted camera between front seats; 1.6sec)


Mid vehicle speed, forward facing shot – unlit rural road (rear mounted camera between front seats; 8sec; NB had to bump the ISO to increase the effect of the car's headlights on the verge)


Low-speed, upward facing shot – multi-coloured overhead “promenade” lights (footwell mounted camera; 13sec; f/6.3 to avoid burning out the lights)


Check out my Cars & Driving set for more images

Obviously there are other ways of mounting the camera (suction cups or track-day mounts) and you can achieve different effects pointing the camera out the side or back or up. But I hope these words provide a solid starting point if you're interested in this kind of shot.
Originally posted at 11:49AM, 8 August 2008 PST ( permalink )
AndWhyNot edited this topic 15 months ago.