How to Photograph Light Trails

One of the most popular long-exposure subjects out there is light trails, in which the headlights and taillights of moving vehicles create eye-catching pathways throughout the frame. They can be a great creative tool, and they are also a ton of fun to shoot. This excellent video tutorial will show you everything you need to know to create great light trail shots. 

Coming to you from Gary Gough, this awesome video tutorial will show you what you need to know to shoot light trails. Light trails are a ton of fun to shoot, but they can also be a serious creative tool. By using a roadway carefully in your composition, you can create highly compelling leading lines to your subject, and with the natural darkness of the later hours, you can simplify and strengthen your composition simply by virtue of a lot of distractions being in shadow. And while the red and white can certainly make for a great shot, do not forget to try editing the resulting image in black and white too, as the striking contrasts can also be quite compelling and often all you need. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Gough. 

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Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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