Don't Miss Your Opportunity for Long Exposures at the Fair

Now is the time that the annual fair rolls into towns across in middle Tennessee. This year I finally remembered to bring my camera and tripod.

The beautiful array of colorful lights combined with the predictable motion of the rides creates the perfect opportunity for a long exposure. Here are a few tips:

  • Pack your widest focal length lenses and a tripod.
  • Arrive at the fair well before sunset. Scout out the midway and find the optimal spots for shooting your images.
  • The best opportunity for capturing images will come moments after sunset where the ambient light level and the amusement ride lights are well balanced. Have your gear set up for your first shot as the sun is dropping below the horizon.
  • Work fast. You may only get about 15 -25 minutes of optimal working time if hoping to capture detail in the sky.
  • Although somewhat counter-intuitive for low-light photography, use a narrow aperture and a low ISO allowing for the use of a relatively long shutter speed. The long shutter speed will allow the ride lights to blend together and will also allow people moving directly in front of your camera not to be recognizably recorded.

EXIF for the image above this article:

Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC
f/16, 3.2 sec, ISO 50

Post processed with Photoshop CC.

Posted: 7/28/2014 8:07:48 AM ET   Posted By: Sean
Posted to: Canon News, Sony News    
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