Day 10

Long exposure photography is one of the most powerful techniques you can add to your landscape work. By extending the shutter speed to capture a passage of time – we can smooth water, soften clouds, and strip away distraction so the core of the scene stands out.

The key to mastering this technical way of shooting is developing a practiced workflow. Compose first. Set your exposure without the filter. Focus. Then lock everything down and introduce the neutral density filter to extend the shutter speed. Once that method becomes second nature, the technical side fades away and you’re free to concentrate on mood, balance and story.

Experiment with different shutter speeds to create a different look and feel to your images. A couple of seconds keeps energy in the water. Thirty seconds or more creates an ethereal calm atmosphere, serene photography that can produce the “wow” factor.

Long exposure isn’t about making every scene “better.” It’s about shaping the scene to match how you want it to feel. Master that, and you open up an entirely new creative language within your photography.