How to do Light Trails

How to do light trails..

Equipment need when shooting light trails:

There is not just one particular type of camera and kit that you’ll need to capture light trails – however it is important to have a camera that allows you to have some control over exposure settings – particularly those that allow you to choose longer shutter speeds. This means you need a camera that has the ability to shoot in either full manual mode and/or shutter priority mode (something that all DSLRs and many point and shoot cameras have).

You’ll also need a tripod (or some other way to making your camera completely still) as you’ll be shooting with long shutter speeds which will make shooting handheld pretty much impossible.

Not essential but helpful to have with you are lens hoods (to help block lens flare from ambient lights), remote shutter release cables or wireless remote controls, patience and some warm clothes if you’re going out on a chilly night.

Reference:http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-to-shoot-light-trails#ixzz1pktXEO1u

Light Trails - Image

This is another picture taken the same way we took the first but this time we set a flash off at the start, so it lights the room and still shows the led lights that we draw with. Its another very cool and abstract way of doing it but the only problem with this is its also out of focus.

Light Trails - Me

My Light Trails..

This is my first attempt to do a light trail. I set the camera settings to manual and changed the exposure to 15 seconds. I stood still and got someone to hit the capture button and then draw around me. We used a red led light and the flash light off my camera to draw the halo around my head. This is a very effective way to do this but the only problem is focusing in the dark, because I left auto focus on when they tried to take the picture it jumped into a different place, Therefore making it out of focus.

Example of Light Trails

Light Trails..

 This is a picture of light trails. First thing you see is the very bright and vibrant colours that make this certain picture stand out. Its easy to tell this picture is of something that spins around in  360*. this will have been done using a Digital SLR. the person will have put the exposure time up to something like 10 seconds and this is how they've got this effect.

I found this image at...     http://iskin.co.uk/wallpapers/imagecache/1440x900/light_trails.jpg

NCFE Photography

NCFE Photography

Tutor: Ashley Leach Media National Diploma Level 3 Year 1

To Do List UNIT 1 (DEVELOPING SKILLS)

Create1pagespreadon5ofthefollowingtopics. Thesemustincludea written description of the technique or method, 3 found photographic examples of the technique or method used, 2 - 3 of your own photographs exploring the technique or method used and a written evaluation of the positives and negatives to the technique or method.

Depth of Field

Rule of Thirds Alternative Compositions Light Trails Pin Hole Digital File Hacking Photogrammes Studio Lighting Dark room Processing Shutter Speed

The Brief UNIT 2

Explore one of the following concepts within your photography. Use a number of the photographic techniques and methods you have learnt withinthepastunittoprogressyourunderstandingoftheconcept. You need to explore visual representations of your thoughts and feelings by creating mind maps, mood boards and research into and around relevant artists. The three concepts are:

Concepts

Intrinsic Autonomous Redundant

Research UNIT 2 (DEVELOPING RESEARCH)

You need to produce the following within your sketchbook or portfolio:

• 1 in depth mind map on each of the 3 concepts. • 1 mood board on the selected concept. • A written description of your proposed outline for investigation

•Research into 3 relevant artists and/or contextual references that support and correlate your themes and ideas.

Idea Progression UNIT 3 (DEVELOPING IDEAS)

• A developmental and progressive photograph shoot of only 36 photographs that document your idea progression.

• Your 36 photographs need to be presented as a contact sheet with annotation on a selection of your strongest and weakest photographs.

• A written mid point evaluation outlining the process so far. This also need to highlight possible routes forward into your next and final photo shoot.

• A final refined photo shoot of 36 photographs with clear and defined intentions. This also need to be presented in a contact sheet with descriptive annotation on.

Final Selection UNIT 3 (FINAL PRESENTATION)

• A final selection of your image/s that explore comprehensively and explicitly your chosen concept.

• Thepresentationofworkisuptoyou. Exploredifferentmethodsand choose one that really highlights your photographic work and your skills.

Evaluation UNIT 3 (EVALUATION)

• Youneedtoproduceawrittenevaluationspanningfromthebeginning stages (methods and techniques) to the final presentation of your selectedphotographs. Consider;yourjourneythroughoutthisunit,the methods and techniques learnt, your idea progression, your final photo shootsandfinalselectionandpresentationofphotographywork. Also include, likes, dislikes, future practice and how this has fed back into your media course.