What did I do wrong?

[Fr1so]

I have tried to make a photo of cars on a highway, so that the front- or rear light of the car appears in a small beam. But on my photo it seems that the space shuttle did a blast off.

And I know, it is a bit soft, blablablabla

But what did I do wrong? Did I use a wrong lens, wrong Av, wrong Tv? What can I do better the next time, when I go the next time?

Canon 70D, Canon 50mm f/1.8
F/5.6 , 6,8 sec, ISO 400

[Bhuna]

What did I do wrong?

I don't know the answer but if i was to hazard a guess then I would say it was over exposing what you want to do hence headlights so bright and not trails. Try lower ISO, etc. A suggestion would be to do an exposure for the scenery and then an exposure for the trails so if it then looked too dark scenery wise you can merge in.

[Tigger]

Re: What did I do wrong?

sounds about right Andy - I've never taken them but would have ISO at 100, probably around F8 and then play around with exposure times from 5sec upwards depending on traffic flow

[Paulstw]

Re: What did I do wrong?

You really need to be down at F10-16 or so for that type of thing. Creates a crisp sharp line that's in focus all the way along the road. Lowest ISO as possible, even ISO100 on bright roads. Headlights are brighter than brake lights so there's going to be more lens flare and dazzle from the oncoming traffic. Try and position yourself so that you limit this. I treat the oncoming traffic like the sun, try and stay away from the lights shining right into the sensor.

The focal point is the light trails, however, keep an eye out for the whole composition of the scene as all the hard work can be undone easily with poor composition.

I should add that using the Bulb setting with a remote shutter release helps. It's not going to happen in one take as you experiment. This shot took me 6 tries to get right.

https://www.picfair.com/pics/291412908-light-streaks-and-stars

[Tigger]

Re: What did I do wrong?

I should add that using the Bulb setting with a remote shutter release helps. It's not going to happen in one take as you experiment. This shot took me 6 tries to get right.

Would M not be better Paul? least that way all you need do is start at say 6sec and increase manually rather than having to rely on keeping an eye on the time - not that I've shot one so will rely on your experience here

[Paulstw]

Re: What did I do wrong?

M mode is fine up to 30s but sometimes at the smaller apertures you need 40-70 seconds. If you have a busy lit motorway then M is fine up to 30s but most of the time Bulb mode gives flexibity because traffic is inconsistent and you need to be able to control the time. Having a blackout card for the lens and closing off the viewfinder to oncoming headlights behind you helps control contrast loss.

[Tigger]

Re: What did I do wrong?

k - cheers

[Cyberman]

Re: What did I do wrong?

In general with light trails I've used M manual mode at f11-f13 and adjusted shutter as needed, a little trial and error is needed but the exposure indication in the viewfinder is a good guide for a starting point.Going to highest f numbers is not too much of an issue if needed for a decent shutter speed.
Go with ISO100, nothing else will help I this scenario.


As has been said if the shutter speed ends up longer than 30 secs then go to bulb mode.


I'd also switch off image stabilization if you've got it on a tripod which is likely.
And using a cable release also eliminates shake and movement when you press the shutter.



Hope that helps, have fun.

[Stan]

Re: What did I do wrong?

I think certainly the shot is overexposed but as said you do need to experiment a bit. it is also better to set up on a bridge over a dual carriageway where the road is quite busy with a constant stream of traffic in both directions then you will get a good trail of both red and white lights

stan

[Parsen66]

Re: What did I do wrong?

Some excellent information on a genre I really want to tick off.

Just add my thoughts too. You set the lens to manual focus after setting your focus?

[Tigger]

Re: What did I do wrong?

Some excellent information on a genre I really want to tick off.

same here but I would have to head to a big town to get anywhere near the traffic or worst case go to Benidorm but my jabs aren't up to date

[Parsen66]

Re: What did I do wrong?

same here but I would have to head to a big town to get anywhere near the traffic or worst case go to Benidorm but my jabs aren't up to date

Nah, with a 60 mins exposure one car would do the trick surely

[Tigger]

Re: What did I do wrong?

Nah, with a 60 mins exposure one car would do the trick surely

if I'm lucky - this time of the year its a ghost town here - another 2 mths and the crazy times hit

[Cyberman]

Re: What did I do wrong?

Just add my thoughts too. You set the lens to manual focus after setting your focus?

That is indeed what I often do.

[planetc]

Re: What did I do wrong?

same here but I would have to head to a big town to get anywhere near the traffic or worst case go to Benidorm but my jabs aren't up to date

You could always put a torch or two on Sid, white one on the front, red on the back?