Long Exposure Photography Course
Course Description
Unlock the secrets to creating stunning long exposure photography in our comprehensive Course. This course is your gateway to mastering long exposure techniques that transform everyday photography into stunning, dreamlike works of art.
This is a high-end, professional online course that will guide you step-by-step through the art and science of capturing light in motion. You’ll learn how to use ND filters to master visual effects like making water look like glass and clouds streak in the sky. You’ll also learn how to use long exposures to create stunning night photography and light trails.
Once you’ve learnt how to master the visual effects with your camera, we’ll then teach you how to post-process your photography to ensure you get professional results. We’ll use high-end editing techniques like, HDR blending, masking and how to use generative AI to seamlessly turn your photography from good to great.
As always with TSOP the course has been designed and structured by a professional, fully qualified teacher. Teaching photography since 2002 means the education you receive is free of waffle and focuses on accurate and thorough knowledge. We’ve structured the course in an easy-to-understand way, breaking down this advanced area of photography into manageable learning that anyone can understand.
Whether you're an aspiring photographer aiming to elevate your portfolio or a hobbyist looking to create jaw-dropping visuals, this course will transform the way you see and capture the world.
Buying Options
This course is available in our Yearly Membership only
£126/$165 annually
Unlimited access to all courses and much more
What you will learn
What Long Exposure Photography is and the visual effects it creates
Equipment needed for Long Exposures
Camera settings and specific techniques
What ND Filters are and how to use them
Using Graduated ND Filters
How to mix Grad Filters with ND Filters
How to correctly expose using ND filters
How to use the bulb setting
How to calculate long exposure times correctly
How to bracket photography
How to make clouds streak in the sky
How to make water look like glass
How to create great night photography
How to make people disappear
How to create light trails at night
HDR exposure blending
How to use generative AI to seamlessly remove objects
Specific editing techniques for colour and black and white long exposures
Advanced editing techniques in Photoshop and Lightroom
Who is this course for?
Photographers looking to progress their skills and master long exposure photography.
Photographers who have tried long exposure photography but are struggling to master it.
Photographers wanting to take high-end, professional-looking landscape photographs.
Photographers looking to learn pro editing techniques.
Photographers looking to learn how to create great night and light trail photography.
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“Just finished the Long Exposure Photography Course - well worth the money! I was not expecting this course to be as big as it was - so much in it and so easy to follow. Thanks Marc” – Gordon Dixon - UK
Course Content
Lesson 1 - Introduction to Long Exposure Photography
Here we introduce the course, tell you what you will learn and view the visual effects that can be created in this field of photography.
Lesson 2 - Equipment
To create long exposure effects, you will need specific equipment. Here we’ll look at what gear will get the job done from a low to high budget and break down the minefield of what ND filters are, what they do, what strengths of NDs should you use, what graduated ND filters are, what effects they create and so on. I’ll also teach you how to work out exposure times correctly and introduce our exposure calculator.
Lesson 3 – Camera Settings and Techniques
In this lesson, I’ll show you techniques to help you get the most out of any situation. I’ll teach you how to bracket shots and why bracketing is essential in long exposures. You’ll learn what camera settings are best, how to take meter readings and how to expose correctly in fully manual modes. Then you’ll get practicing in these settings to make sure you fully understand them before we go out and take some pictures.
Lesson 4 – Making Clouds Streak in the Sky
In this lesson we go out on location and put these techniques into practice. Making clouds streak in the sky is a great starting point for long exposure photography; it gets you used to using ND filters, exposing manually and using the bulb setting on your camera.
Lesson 5 – Making Clouds Streak in the Sky - Edit
Taking good pictures is the first part – editing them is what makes them great! It’s important to realise that there are two parts to long exposure photography. Being skilled in both will ensure you’ll be consistent in creating great images. In this edit, I’ll use Lightroom to teach you how to create striking black and white pictures. I’ll then extend this edit further and teach you some advanced Photoshop techniques to add more clouds to an image. You’ll also have the Raw files so you can learn along with me and put all this into practice.
Lesson 6 – Long Exposure Seascapes
This is a classic technique that creates excellent visual effects. In this scenario, we’re on location again and I’ll teach you how to use ND filters to make water look like glass. You’ll learn how to use graduated filters together with ND filters and how to use the camera’s light meter to determine the correct grad filter to use.
Lesson 7 – Long Exposure Seascapes - Edit
In this edit, we’ll take the images from good to great. You’ll have the raw files to follow along with me and we’ll start by using generative AI techniques to clean up the scene. Then we’ll go into Lightroom where I’ll teach you how to use masking and other techniques to balance out the exposure and bring the best out of the scene.
Lesson 8 - Making people disappear with long exposures
In this scenario, I’ll take you one of the busiest places in London and use long exposures to make people disappear. This time we’ll look at working out exposure times, when fully manual, without using ND filters and the results are stunning!
Lesson 9 – Making people disappear – Edit
In this edit, I’ll teach you how to enhance your photography in Lightroom and Photoshop. We’ll give the image more dynamic range with a HDR blend and balance the exposure of the scene with a range of masking techniques. We’ll then go into Photoshop to further clean up the image. Again the Raw files are provided so you can work along and learn with me.
Lesson 10 – Light Trail Photography
In this scenario, I’ll take you to the iconic Tower Bridge and teach you how to make vehicles streak through the frame. There is no one-setting-fits-all for light trails this is what makes this a great technique for challenging your photography skills. Here you’ll push your knowledge and learn how to change camera settings and balance exposures to control the visual effect that you want.
Lesson 11 – Light Trail Photography – Edit
In this lesson you’re shown multiple ways to edit light trail photography in Lightroom and Photoshop. You’re taught how to use masking to merge the best of several photos to create one stunning image. As usual, you’re supplied with the raw files to work along with the edit.
Lesson 12 – More long exposure examples
Each situation will require different techniques in shooting and editing and it’s important that you can adapt your photography as required. In this lesson, we’ll look at how to adapt your shooting for different scenarios from lovely sunsets to grey cloudy days. We’ll also look at different editing techniques specifically designed black and white photography as well vivid surreal imagery.
Lesson 13 – End and Recap
A friendly sign off from Marc and a recap on the knowledge you’ve learnt on the course.
A selection of Marc’s work
Reviews
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“Highly recommend TSOP! Marc Newton's approach to teaching is practical and intuitive in a way that enables photographers to both see and participate in what he is teaching... a fantastic concept! For intermediate to advanced photographers looking for that extra edge, be sure to check out the long exposure photography course... truly eye-opening with the editing techniques and "why" behind what editing tools to use. I will be purchasing more courses along the way as it's worth the investment. Thank you!” - Brian Mitchell – USA
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“I am halfway through my second course with TSOP (long exposure photography) and I am enjoying it as much as the first (Lightroom). Lessons are segmented and detailed enough to allow the main concepts to be embedded in my learning and they are presented in a fun and easy-going way. I also appreciate the raw file downloads as it enables me to work on the same images that are in the videos. Great work guys!” – Robyn Masters – Australia
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“Just wanted to say thanks as the photography course I have now completed is brilliant! I have already done a few training courses over the past 12 months but this one is brilliant. I have managed to learn so much as Marc is a really good teacher. Thank You” - Philip Keys - UK
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FAQs
What level do I need to be at?
This course is suited for intermediate photographers, Lightroom and Photoshop users. It is not suited for anyone who hasn’t used Photoshop and Lightroom or learnt about the basics of photography. In this case, please take a look at our Photography, Lightroom and Photoshop courses.
What camera equipment do I need?
You will need a DSLR or mirrorless camera, a tripod and some ND filters. To get you started, a 6 and 10 stop ND filter will be fine and these can be purchased from £15. For more information on ND filters, click here.
I’m not in the UK, will this course still be suitable for me?
Yes. All skills taught are the same worldwide.
What’s the difference between ‘This course only’ and ‘Become a Member’?
Please see ‘Buying Options’ above.
Do I need Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop and Affinity for this course?
It depends. If you want to follow along with the edits then the answer is yes. However, if you edit your work in a different program then you can simply use the same editing techniques in whatever program you are used to. The raw files provided will open in any editing program that supports raw editing. If you wish to buy Adobe editing software we recommend buying their ‘Photography Plan (20GB)’ which includes Photoshop CC, Lightroom Classic, and Lightroom CC for a monthly fee. For more details on this plan click here.
What’s the cost in my own currency?
The courses are priced in British Pounds and US Dollars. On checkout, it will show the cost in British Pounds and will be converted into your currency when purchased. To get an accurate cost in your own currency click here to use a Currency Converter. NB. US dollars quoted are as close as possible and updated on a monthly basis.
Do I get a certificate with this course?
Yes - On completion of all our all courses, you receive a certificate from The School of Photography.
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We have 100% confidence in our courses!
We offer a no-risk solution here at the School of Photography - If you don’t learn anything, we will give you your money back! I offer this because I’m an educational speaker, author, I have a degree in photography, a post-graduate degree in education, I’m a fully qualified teacher and have been teaching photography since 2002. All of this experience goes into making these courses. We know that our courses will make you excellent photographers just like they have done for 1000’s of others.
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1000’s of videos, worksheets, lighting set-ups, Lightroom presets, raw files and much more.
Critiques of student’s work.
Monthly assignments.
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Personalised support.
Learn in your own time at your own pace.
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This is real learning delivered by Professional Teachers!
I’ve been teaching photography since 2002, I’m a fully qualified UK teacher, an educational speaker, author, have a photography degree and a post-graduate degree in education. All of this experience goes into bringing you the best education money can buy.
If you want to build a photography career, or just have the ambition to create great photos, TSoP is a great place to start.
Buying Options
This course is available in our Yearly Membership only
£126/$165 annually
Unlimited access to all courses and much more