Summer is here, and everyone loves the carnival rides at the county fair. These are one of my favorite long exposure subjects. This article will offer a few tips and suggest one key piece of photographic equipment, so you’ll be able to capture stunning images of the fair rides.
Essential Equipment:
- A Camera with Manual Mode: You’ll need a camera that allows you to manually control the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, and even some advanced point-and-shoot cameras offer this functionality. A cellphone will work if you have a camera app that includes a manual mode and a remote trigger.
- A Sturdy Tripod: This is a MUST!!! Long exposures require the camera to remain absolutely still to avoid overall blur. Even the slightest movement can ruin your image. A robust tripod will provide the necessary stability.
- Wide-Angle to Mid-Range Lens: A wide-angle lens (e.g., 16-35mm or 24-70mm on a full-frame camera) is often ideal for capturing the scope of the rides and their surroundings. A mid-range lens (e.g., 50mm or 85mm) can be useful for isolating specific elements or creating a more intimate perspective. TIP: leave room for cropping in post. The carnival area is often crowded with people and other rides and games, making optimal compositions impossible, there will be tradeoffs.
- MUST HAVE: Remote Trigger. To capture stunning images of the fair rides, you must have a cable or wireless shutter release (figure 1). Modern cameras also have a smartphone app with this feature, this may or may not be responsive enough to achieve ideal results. You will hold the shutter open in BULB mode to capture the range of the carnival ride.
Camera Settings
- Mode: Set your camera to Manual (M) mode. This gives you complete control over all exposure settings.
- Shutter Speed: Install the remote trigger, and set your camera to BULB mode. Pressing the trigger button will open the shutter until you stop pressing the trigger.
- Aperture: Choose an aperture that provides sufficient depth of field to keep the key elements of your composition sharp. Start with f/8 or f/11 and adjust as needed. A narrower aperture (higher f-number) will increase depth of field but will also reduce the amount of light entering the camera, potentially requiring a higher ISO.
- ISO: ISO is the one variable to properly expose the image. Adjust ISO after taking a couple of test exposures. Try to keep it as low as possible to properly expose the image.
- Focus: Take your lens off of autofocus. Manually focus on the main subject of your composition (e.g., the structure of the ride or a specific point where the lights pass). Ensure your focus is sharp before taking the shot. You can use live view and zoom in to fine-tune the focus.
- White Balance: Set your white balance to Auto (AWB) or choose a preset that accurately reflects the colors of the carnival lights. You can always fine-tune the white balance in post-processing.
- Image Format: Shoot in RAW format. This provides the most information for post-processing, allowing you greater flexibility in adjusting exposure, white balance, and other parameters.
Composing Your Kinetic Masterpieces:
- Find the Right Angle: Walk around the carnival and observe the rides in motion. Look for angles that showcase the patterns of movement, the interplay of light, and the overall energy of the scene. Consider shooting from a slightly elevated position or getting down low for a more dramatic perspective.
- Include Stationary Elements: Incorporating static elements like the ride’s structure, surrounding buildings, or even silhouetted figures can provide a sense of scale and contrast against the blurred motion of the lights.
- Leading Lines: Utilize leading lines, such as pathways, fences, or the arms of a ride, to draw the viewer’s eye into the frame and towards the main subject.
- Rule of Thirds: Consider applying the rule of thirds to create a balanced and visually appealing composition. Place key elements of your image along the intersecting points or lines of an imaginary grid dividing the frame into three equal parts horizontally and vertically.
- Experiment with Different Rides and Movements: Each ride offers unique patterns of motion and light. Try photographing Ferris wheels, carousels, spinning rides, and swings to capture a diverse range of visual effects.
- Consider the Background: Be mindful of what’s in the background of your shot. A cluttered or distracting background can detract from the impact of the light trails. Look for clean backgrounds or interesting elements that complement the subject.
- Timing is Key: Pay attention to the cycles of the rides and try to time your exposures to capture the most dynamic and visually interesting moments of their movement.
Tips for Success:
- Practice Makes Perfect: Long exposure photography often involves experimentation. Don’t be afraid to try different shutter speeds, apertures, and compositions to see what works best.
- Review Your Images: Regularly check your camera’s LCD screen to evaluate your results and make necessary adjustments to your settings and composition.
- Be Patient: Long exposures take time. Be patient and allow the shutter to remain open for the desired duration to capture the full effect of the motion.
- Post-Processing: Software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop can be used to further enhance your long exposure images by adjusting exposure, contrast, colors, and sharpness.
