Category: Long Exposures

Because the Night.

Long Exposures, Night Photography, Uncategorized

There are times when the only thing I can do to escape my thoughts is to head outside and take pictures of the evolving night. Aside from a concerned look from my wife and her assuring I bring my cell phone. I can head out without a thought. With minimal traffic speeding past my condo. Capturing a notable shot can be tricky. The key, however, is to find the light in the darkness. To find the light and the matching elements of darkness to surround and create the proper contrast to surround it. On this particular night. I didn’t have the energy to walk down to the main drag where the automobiles frequent and the train station sits. Luckily, that light I was searching for, lay just outside my door.

Cold Nights, Cool Lights.

Anecdote, Long Exposures, Night Photography, Street Photography

As Winter rolls in. The nights are coming earlier, while the temperatures are dropping like flies. With the arrival of freezing cold weather. It’s getting harder and harder to convince myself to bundle up in layers that once applied, have taken away most of the energy needed for such outings. However, last week, with my wife visiting family in Tokyo and the temperature at a steady 36 degrees. I left home twice with camera, tripod and a few other essentials to have a little fun on the dark, cold evening. When evaluating those moments. Armed with a sense of confidence that I packed everything I would need and the patience I often lack to properly set up the shot I wanted to capture by closely following certain rules regarding photographing under more challenging circumstances. I returned home knowing I achieved my goal without the burden of second guessing.

The Early Bird Captures the Shot.

Canon R6 Mark II Mirrorless, Color, Dramatic Lighting, Finding your Zen, Landscape Photography, Location Shooting, Long Exposures, Manual Mode, Night Photography, Street Photography

During a recent exchange with a fellow early riser. We shared our appreciation for the pre-dawn moments when one can appreciate a sense of solitude, while enjoying that quickly diminishing moment, when the air feels fresh, as it entices your senses. Whether it was coming home from a night of debauchery or leaving your home for that long commute. Whatever the reason. These moments are to be cherished. Below is a capture taken during my now daily morning walk.

March 1st, 5:50 am Canon R6 Mark II RF 24-105 F4 30.0 f22 ISO 200

Once Upon a Tripod

Long Exposures, Night Photography, Street Photography

I’m not sure what made me head back into freezing temps, but whatever it was, I brought a more relaxed attitude. I might not have achieved my ultimate goal or even understood why I was having issues with taking long exposures in manual or bulb mode. I just wanted to take some pictures of the brisk night sky. Below is one of my favorites from my few minutes in the dark.

The Unintentional Power of Words.

Finding your Zen, Happiness, Long Exposures, Night Photography

In a recent exchange with a long time friend. The words “I just want to be happy.”impacted me more than anything they had said during our long, often embattled, friendship. Those five words summed up the ultimate goal we should all reach for. For me personally, creativity and, to be more specific, photography are integral in being, and remaining happy. As photography has gone from a hobby to a job, and back to a hobby. I still hope to learn and grow. While I no longer think of things in terms of competition or being the best. (Believe me. I never came remotely close.) I hope to achieve things that never seemed possible. In the end, photography is one of the most important keys to my happiness.

Set Your Alarm

Long Exposures, Sunrise

For me personally, there is nothing quite as inspiring as photographing a dawn or dusk. I also love heading out with my gear during the dead of night. It’s a time where the air smells fresh and solitude often makes an appearance. While it’s never easy to leave without a curious, yet demanding, “Where are you going?” from your better half. It’s always rewarding.

5:28 am
5:38 am
5:51 am

Set Your Alarm Part II

Location Shooting, Long Exposures, Street Photography, Sunrise
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, March 13, 2022 5:32 am, .30, F22, ISO 200, 28 MM, Manfrotto 290 xtra tripod

Heading out, I reminded myself that I din’t want to set up in the same spot or take the same photographs I did the day before. Although I was happy with the results. I had no intention of repeating my actions, whether it be by documenting the same subject matter or staying safe by depending on the same settings. With little or no traffic passing. I looked toward the street lights and that coming from the buildings lobby to capture this image. By day two of my little experiment, I can’t help but be happy with the results of getting up early, experimenting with long exposures and enjoying the little moments of solitude.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III March 13, 2022 5:32 am, .30, F22, ISO 200, 28MM, Manfrotto 290 xtra tripod

Light Trails

Dramatic Lighting, Finding your Zen, Long Exposures, Night Photography

As the weather gets warmer I hope to further explore my love for night photography, long exposure and the endless search for light. The image below was taken on Dolly Madison Blvd. at around 8:30 pm. There wasn’t nearly enough back and fourth traffic, but I really enjoyed the moment and the lights coming from the buildings across the blvd. I’m quickly learning that I enjoy things when I’m not worried about mistakes.

Into the Night

Long Exposures, Night Photography, Street Photography

In my last post ‘Sunrise’, I briefly spoke of waking before dawn to have a chance to watch and capture the sunrise. Well it turns out that on that particular day, there wasn’t much sun to speak of. What eventually came over the horizon was a bit anti climactic. So, as the following day approached and I suddenly began to overthink that the studio end of my photography and how much I miss photographing people. I decided to clear my head and indulge myself in some night photography. I love the soft light at dusk and the feeling of solitude that comes over me. I took this shot before 7:00 pm as my wife was making tacos.

30.00 f/ 25 100ISO 75 Millimeters 6:58 pm