light trails
Nov, 2015Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This image was taken from a Bridge over the M6 in a small village called Byley in Cheshire. This image was taken facing north bound on the M6 just after Junction 18. This particular Image is my first ever attempt at light trails, I am a self taught photographer meaning every Shot a great learning curve me.Time
I remember this image and the time of day it was taken very well I was traveling back Home to Middlewich Cheshire from Nottingham after visiting Family. I was traveling north bound along the M6 at around 19.30 and thought the cloud formation looked great i realised i had my Camer which at the time was a Fujifilm s9400w Bridge camera this image was taken around 20.15 - 20.30.Lighting
I wanted the light trails to draw peoples eyes into the center of the image, working as the leading line as such. With bright lights drawing your eyes into the center I find it makes the eyes wonder into the light caught in the clouds which light pollution from the cars on the motorway. so Always try to consider if there will be light pollution as it may so up with long exposure times, just so happens to work in this image.Equipment
I used my Fujifilm s9400w on a tripod and used a 2 second self timer to remove and camera shake I had a UV filter on the lens.Inspiration
I was inspired to take this picture as the M6 plays a massive part in my life as its the Motorway that joins my wife's family and my family to the place me and my wife set up our home together in Middlewich Cheshire.Editing
I did do some post-processing just to lighten up highlights and darken some shadows the clouds. I brightened the lights to make them stand out more as a leading line.In my camera bag
The Equipment I carry in my bag now is my Fujifilm X-s1 which has a 24mm - 624mm lens. I have my tripod and a range of ND filters and Macro filters you never know when you might need something for macro work. I always have a flash in my bag and Cleaning equipment as long exposures times are not forgiving any dirt or water from rain will show up in the image.Feedback
My Advice is really play with the camera and push the boundaries, have your camera set on manual lock your ISO to 100. Open the aperture up to the highest number your lens or camera is able to go up to I set mine to F11 for light trails and if you get street lamps or lights you can get really nice crisp star bursts from the lights. Try as many different shutter speeds as you like slower speeds for just lights and you could even try faster speeds to get vehicles in the picture as well as lights. Best advice i can possibly give is enjoy every second of it.
