Capturing movement of light using a long exposure with a forced flash will result in a sharp foreground subject while also capturing streaks of the moving light source. A tripod should be used to keep the camera still, and the shutter speed can be between 1-5 seconds. Keeping the ISO low between 50-200 and using flash on or off can help capture the desired effect. Different light sources can be used to produce interesting streaking effects in the exposure.

1. Capturing movement of light using Capturing movement against still
forced flash with a long exposure backgrounds with a tripod
Introduction
At night, you have much greater control over the length of
time that you can leave the shutter speed open, which is Introduction
good if you are photographing still objects, however, it will When dealing with a scene that has continuous movement, it
lead to blur with moving objects. However, by exploiting the can be effective to capture the movement over a long period
movement of a light source, you can literally draw with light. If of time by opening up the shutter.
you use a forced flash and long exposure, you will also
capture the foreground in focus and sharp, whilst also Settings
capturing the streaks of light. Equipment: Tripod & camera release cable
ISO: 50-100
Settings Speed: 1-5 sec (see notes)
Equipment: Tripod and light source e.g. torch Aperture: f.22
ISO: 50-200 Flash: Off
Speed: 1-5 sec
Aperture: Refer to light meter reading/experiment Notes
Flash: On/Off It is essential to use a tripod and camera release cable or
camera timer as any slight movement will result in the entire
Notes picture being blurred. If it is done at twilight, it is easier to
Keep the camera still by using a tripod or place on a fixed control as there is too much light during the day and this
surface and only use a flash if you want to capture the subject leads to over-exposure as the shutter is left open for too
as well as the streaks of light. Remember that the light source long. As you are opening the shutter for a long period of
needs to move. For more interesting effects, try doing it time, you need to close down your aperture to allow in as
against a background of neon light or against a fast-moving little light as possible e.g. f.22 and use a slow film (50-100
flow of traffic at night. Use different light sources such as ISO). This involves trial and error - practice with a digital
Christmas lights. camera to understand the principles.