Light Trail Photography – Settings and Techniques Explained
Light trail photography can be truly magical, especially when it comes to capturing the movement and energy of vehicles streaking through city streets. This genre of photography, often referred to as ‘vehicle streaking’ or ‘light trail photography’, allows you to create stunning, dynamic images that tell a story of motion and speed.
In this blog, we'll delve into the art of photographing light trails, sharing tips, techniques and settings to help you create captivating images.
Essential Equipment for Light Trail Photography
Before you embark on your light trail journey, you'll need the right gear. Here are the essential items to have:
DSLR or Mirrorless Camera
Choose a camera with manual settings and good low-light performance. It doesn’t need to be an expensive one, just make sure it can be used in fully manual mode and can shoot in raw image format.
Sturdy Tripod
A stable tripod is essential for keeping your camera steady during long exposures. Avoid those thin, flimsy ones, they will not be good enough, trust me!!
Remote Shutter Release
This will allow you fire off the camera without touching it and help you avoid camera shake when taking long exposures.
Fully Charged Battery and Empty Memory Card
Prepare for an extended shooting session by ensuring your camera battery is fully charged, and your memory card has ample space. Long exposures and continuous shooting can quickly deplete battery life, particularly in the cold!
(Optional) Ultra-Wide-Angle Lens: A lens with an ultra-wide field of view will allow you to capture more of the scene. For instance, it will allow you to fit large buildings and bridges into one image. This would be a focal length of 16mm on a full frame camera, 10mm on a crop sensor camera and 8mm on a micro 4:3 camera. Learn more about focal lengths and sensor sizes here.
DSLR Cameras
Sturdy Tripod
Remote Shutter Release
Ultra-Wide-angle-Lens
Learn how to use your camera, including settings, here.
Get access to ALL our online courses - 1000’s of videos, worksheets, critiques of students work, personalised support and much more with our monthly membership.
Location Scouting
Selecting the right location is key to creating striking vehicle light trails. Clearly you first need locations with traffic that flows freely. Then you need to think about interesting back drops. Essentially you will look through and around the light trails to an interesting scene. Sometimes, just photographing good light trails, doesn’t cut the mustard!
Then it’s safety! Fast vehicles and photographers don’t’ mix so you need to make sure you keep your distance!
Here's some ideas and a more in-depth exploration of how to scout and select the perfect location:
Urban Landscapes
Urban environments offer a plethora of opportunities. Look for busy city streets with impressive skylines or iconic landmarks in the background. These settings provide a dynamic backdrop for the streaking lights of passing vehicles.
Bridges and Overpasses
Structures like bridges and overpasses not only add architectural interest but also provide elevated vantage points. This elevation allows you to capture the flow of traffic (or in this case, a train) from unique angles, creating compelling compositions.
Office district in London during blue hour with train trailing through the frame
Winding Roads and Countryside
Don't limit yourself to urban settings. Seek out winding roads through countryside landscapes. The contrast between natural elements and streaking lights can result in visually striking compositions.
Car lights trailing through country roads - Photo by Samuele Bertoli on Unsplash
Coastal Roads
If you're near the coast, consider capturing light trails along coastal roads. The reflection of vehicle lights on the water's surface can add a mesmerizing touch to your images.
Architectural Interest
Old town areas with cobblestone streets and historic buildings can provide a timeless and picturesque backdrop for your photographs. These settings add character and charm to the dynamic nature of vehicle streaking.
St. Pauls Cathederal with London Bus Light Trails
Learn how this actual picture was taken here
Futuristic Architecture
On the flip side, modern and futuristic architectural designs can create a visually stimulating environment. Look for locations with sleek buildings, interesting lighting, and unique structures.
Light trails in front of Lloyd's building, London
Safety Considerations
Ensure that the chosen location is safe for both photographers and pedestrians. Avoid obstructing traffic flow or endangering yourself while setting up your equipment.
Legal Considerations
Be aware of local regulations regarding photography in certain areas. Some locations may have restrictions, so it's essential to scout locations that are both visually appealing and legally accessible.
Weather Effects
Consider how weather conditions can impact your shots. Rainy or foggy weather can add drama and ambiance, while clear nights may result in crisp and well-defined light trails.
Seasonal Changes
Different seasons can bring unique elements to your compositions. For example, capturing streaking lights against a backdrop of fall foliage or a snowy landscape can add a seasonal flair to your images.
Test Shots and Pre-Scouting
Visit potential locations during the day to familiarize yourself with the surroundings. Identify potential vantage points and interesting features that might look good at night with light trails. Using your phone is a good here. It’s quick to use and very portable saving you having to set up your DSLR. Most phones these days also have 3 focal lengths to choose from meaning you can see how a scene will look at wide angles as well as compressed with a zoom lens. Having this knowledge will help you set up the correct lens before you get to location.
Choosing the right location involves a balance between visual aesthetics, safety, and practical considerations. By exploring a variety of settings and considering the unique features each location offers, you'll be better equipped to create visually stunning vehicle light trail photography at night.
Composition
Achieving compelling compositions is crucial when creating light trails. It's not just about capturing the movement of lights; it's about telling a visual story that engages the viewer and leads the eye through the frame. There are many different ways to compose for a picture but below I have put what I think are the best compositional techniques for light trail photography.
Dynamic Foreground
Introduce elements in the foreground to add depth and context to your shots. This could be anything from a parked car, street sign, a person or in this case, a reflection of St Pauls Cathedral. These foreground elements anchor the image and create a sense of scale.
St. Pauls Cathederal's with reflection as foreground interest and light trails from a London bus
See how this actual picture was taken here.
Leading Lines
Utilize leading lines in the foreground to guide the viewer's eye through the photograph. This could be a road, pathway, or any other linear element that leads the eye. And of course, the light trails can act as your leading lines as in the example below.
Light trails of two trains going into a station at Canary Wharf, London
Diagonals
Diagonal lines in photography can give a sense of dynamism, movement and energy. All elements that suit the look of light trails. Try placing the light trails in the corners of your frame and have them coming diagonally into the middle of the image. The difference this technique can give to the feeling of an image is fantastic as seen in the example below of a bus streaking through the fame on Tower Bridge in London.
Light trails of vehicles traveling through London’s Tower Bridge
Symmetry
In city night photography, symmetrical compositions work really well. They can clean up a scene and bring balance in the chaos of a big urban city. And if you can add light trails into that mix, you’ve nailed it! Not an easy technique to achieve but the results speak for themselves as seen in the example below which shows vehicles going through Tower bridge in London. Remember to be safe with this one. If taking pictures of vehicle trails either side of you, make sure you are standing somewhere safe!
Light trails of London buses streaking through Tower Bridge
You can see me take this actual picture here.
Framing and composition in light trail photography involves a careful balance between static and dynamic elements, foreground and background, and light trails going through your frame. Experiment with these techniques to create visually stunning and narratively rich images that captivate your audience.
Learn more about composition in photography here.
Camera Settings for Light Trail Photography:
Achieving captivating light trail photography requires a thoughtful selection of camera settings to capture the dynamic movement of vehicles against the backdrop of the night. As you would imaging it is not one camera setting fits all here, you will have to adapt and adjust settings depending on the lighting conditions. However, there are some general guides that will get you of to a good start. Here's a detailed guide on the camera settings needed to create your light trail images:
Back of camera with settings for light trail photography
Manual Mode
Firstly, take control and put your camera into manual mode to have full control over your exposure settings. This allows you to tailor each parameter to achieve the desired effect.
Aperture (f-stop)
Choose a small aperture (higher f-stop values, such as f/8 to f/16) to ensure a greater depth of field. This helps in keeping both the light trails and the background scene sharp and in focus and allows you to capture light over a longer period of time.
Shutter Speed
Set a slow shutter speed to capture the streaking lights of passing vehicles. This can be any shutter speed between 4 and 30 seconds, adjusting based on the speed of traffic and the desired length of the light trails. E.g. if the distance is a few meters, you will need a shorter shutter speed, and if the distance is a long as half a mile you will need a long shutter speed.
Experimentation is key here. Experiment with various shutter speeds to achieve different effects.
ISO
Keep the ISO as low as possible (e.g., ISO 100 or 200) to minimize noise and maintain image quality. Lower ISO values are particularly crucial for long exposure shots to prevent overexposure and allow you let light into the .
White Balance
If you're shooting in an urban environment with streetlights, car lights, floodlights on bridges etc getting a correct balance of light is near on impossible as there are so many colour temperatures to choose from. So, in this case I find it better to just use the AWB setting. This will give you a good middle ground which you can change and adjust back in post processing. Please note you will need to also shoot in raw to do this.
Learn more about white balance here.
Focus
In most cases you switch your lens to manual focus and set it to infinity. This ensures that both the light trails and the background remain sharp. Autofocus can struggle in low-light situations, so manually adjusting the focus is more reliable.
Learn more about focus settings here.
Shoot in RAW
Capture images in RAW format to retain more information and allow for greater flexibility during post-processing. RAW files provide more latitude for adjustments in exposure, colour balance, and sharpness.
Learn how to process raw files here.
Bracketing
Consider Exposure Bracketing. If you're unsure about the optimal exposure settings, use exposure bracketing. This involves capturing multiple shots at different exposures, providing you with a range of options to choose from during post-processing.
Learn about exposure bracketing here.
Mastering the intricacies of these camera settings will empower you to capture stunning light trail photography, transforming the ordinary into extraordinary as you showcase the mesmerizing play of lights in the night.
Timing and Patience
The timing of your exposure is crucial. Wait for the right moment when multiple vehicles are in the frame. Patience is key – it may take several tries to capture that perfect shot. Successful light trail photography at night often requires a combination of skill, planning, and a dash of luck!
By understanding traffic patterns, experimenting with exposure settings, and exercising patience, you increase your chances of capturing that perfect moment when the night comes alive with streaking lights.
So, find a comfortable spot, set up your gear, and embrace the excitement of timing and patience in the world of nocturnal photography.
Photographer taking light trail pictures
Post-Processing
Post-Processing for Light Trail Photography:
While capturing the essence of light trails during the shoot is vital, post-processing plays a significant role in refining your images and bringing out their full potential.. Software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop can help you enhance the image's colours, contrast, and sharpness. You can also correct any minor imperfections and add creative effects if desired.
Like photography, processing is creative and somewhat personal endeavour. However, there are generalise processing techniques that will transform any light trail image. Here's a guide on how to enhance your light trail photographs during the post-processing stage:
Check out our Lightroom and Photoshop courses.
Organize Your Files First
Begin by importing your images into a photo editing software like Adobe Lightroom or Capture One. Organize your files systematically for easy access and processing. Getting this part correct from the start will save you hours of time in the future!!
Basic Adjustments
Exposure and Contrast: Start with adjusting the overall exposure and contrast. Fine-tune these settings to ensure the light trails pop against the background without losing detail.
White Balance: Refine the white balance if necessary. Experiment with cooler or warmer tones to enhance the mood of your image.
Colour Correction
Vibrancy and Saturation: Adjust the vibrancy and saturation levels to enhance the colours in your image. Be mindful not to over-saturate, but aim for a balance that complements the overall atmosphere.
HSL/Colour Grading: Use the Hue, Saturation, and Luminance (HSL) or colour grading tools to selectively adjust specific colours. This allows you to fine-tune the appearance of individual hues in your light trails and bring a colour balance across your scene.
Sharpness and Clarity
Sharpening: Apply appropriate sharpening to enhance the details in your image. Be cautious not to over-sharpen, as this can introduce unwanted artifacts.
Clarity: Adjust the clarity slider to enhance mid-tone contrast. This can add definition to the light trails and bring out intricate details.
Noise Reduction
Long exposures, especially in low-light conditions, can introduce digital noise if you were using a higher ISO. Use noise reduction tools to mitigate noise while preserving image details. Be careful not to excessively smooth out the image.
Lens Corrections
Apply lens corrections to rectify any distortions or vignetting introduced by your lens. This ensures a more uniform and aesthetically pleasing result.
Cropping and Composition Refinement
Crop for Impact: Refine your composition through cropping. Eliminate distractions and reframe the image to enhance the visual impact of the light trails.
Straighten Horizons: Ensure horizons are straightened for a polished and professional look. This is particularly relevant if you were shooting in urban environments with distinct horizontal lines.
Stacking and Blending (Advanced Technique)
Stacking Multiple Exposures: If you captured multiple exposures, consider stacking them for a more intricate light trail effect. This involves combining several shots to emphasize the density and complexity of the light trails.
Blending for Dynamic Elements: Experiment with blending techniques to enhance specific elements in your composition. For example, use blending modes to emphasize reflections or stationary objects.
Creative Effects
Adding Filters and Overlays: Explore the creative possibilities by adding filters or overlays. This could include introducing subtle gradients, lens flares, or other effects to enhance the overall mood of the image.
Colour Grading for Atmosphere: Delve into colour grading techniques to create a specific atmosphere or mood. Adjust tones to evoke a sense of warmth, coldness, or mystery in your light trail photographs.
By meticulously applying these post-processing techniques, you can transform your light trail images into captivating works of art. Remember, the goal is not to overshadow the inherent beauty of the light trails but to refine and accentuate their impact, creating a final composition that truly mesmerizes your audience.
Light trails in front of St. Pauls before editing
Light trails in front of St. Pauls after editing
Conclusion
Light trail photography at night is a thrilling genre that allows you to capture the excitement of motion and light. With the right equipment, location, camera settings, and a dash of creativity, you can create stunning images that tell a compelling story of the night's energy.
So, grab your camera and head out to your favourite location, and start capturing the mesmerizing world of vehicle light trail photography at night.
Check out our full Photographing Cities at Night Course here.
Like this? - Check out more free tutorials below
I hope you liked this tutorial on light trail photography. If you did, please leave us a comment and support us by sharing it with your friends and subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of this page for more.
We also have an excellent learning community on social media so please join us there as well.
Thanks for watching and remember – Learn more at The School of Photography.
