Long exposure photography opens up a world of creative possibilities, allowing you to capture stunning and unique images. By extending the exposure time of your camera, you can create captivating effects that are not visible to the naked eye. One of the most popular applications of long exposure is capturing mesmerizing light trails created by moving vehicles or stars in the night sky. Additionally, you can use this technique to smooth out water bodies, transforming turbulent waves into serene, misty surfaces. Long exposure is also great for capturing the graceful movements of people or objects, creating a sense of motion and dynamism in your photographs. Whether you're exploring urban landscapes, natural scenery, or experimenting with light painting, long exposure photography lets you unleash your creativity and produce breathtaking images that stand out from the crowd. Check out how these Sony users couple long exposures and the right subject to their advantage then head out and experiment for yourself. And for even more inspiration follow @SonyAlpha on Instagram.

Long exposures create captivating effects that are invisible to the eye. Experimenting with camera settings and the right subject makes for striking images.

Sarah Alsayegh – @sarah_alsayegh

Sarah Alsayegh, a landscape photographer and storm chaser based in Kuwait, is an essential addition to your Instagram feed. She specializes in breathtaking landscapes featuring dramatic clouds and lightning bolts captured with her Sony Alpha 7R III or Sony Alpha 7R IV and using long exposures. During an interview on the Sony Alpha Photographers Podcast, Alsayegh shared valuable advice for aspiring storm chasers. Emphasizing the importance of caution, she stated, "you really need to be extra careful, you really need to know about the weather… usually some people end up in a very dangerous area… you always have to have an exit plan." Follow Alsayegh's work to witness her unique vision and learn from her expertise in the thrilling realm of storm chasing.

Filip Hrebenda - @filiphrebenda

Filip Hrebenda is an accomplished fine-art landscape photographer, and a dedicated photo workshop leader. His portfolio showcases a distinct style marked by a masterful blend of colors, light, and lines found in natural landscapes. One striking example of his work, captured with the Sony Alpha 7R III and the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master lens, is the image displayed below. Through the technique of long exposure, Hrebenda skillfully captures the mesmerizing play of light and the dynamic flow of rushing water, creating a captivating and ethereal visual experience. His expertise in manipulating time through photography enables him to produce truly remarkable and evocative imagery.

Thibault Roland - @thibaultrolandphoto

Thibault Roland is a photographer with a background in scientific research. Roland is fascinated by photography and how scientific concepts such as time and space can be integrated into this art. He explores this through long exposure photography, specifically long exposure black and white photography, and he’s mastered the camera setup for creating successful images in this style. The image below was made on the Sony Alpha 7R II paired with the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master. The photo is a 30-second exposure, we love the ethereal look and feel of his images! Learn more about how he does it in Camera Setup Tips For Long Exposure Black & White Photography.

Thearon Henderson - @ThearonHenderson

Thearon Henderson, a highly skilled freelance sports photographer, who frequently works for Getty Images. Known for his exceptional talent, Henderson possesses a remarkable ability to capture the essence of action in his photographs. His expertise shines through his adeptness at freezing moments at the precise instant or skillfully employing motion blur techniques. The motion blur technique, although distinct from long exposure, evokes a similar sense of movement within the frame, enabling him to craft compelling narratives through the dynamic interplay of motion. Henderson's ability to convey stories through photography is truly exceptional, elevating his work to a league of its own.

Sapna Reddy - @SapnaReddy

Sapna Reddy, a physician, nature photographer, and Sony Brand Ambassador, curates a captivating Instagram account adorned with awe-inspiring landscapes from diverse corners of the globe. Among her remarkable collection is the image below. We are enthralled by the pop of colors that come from the trees, accentuated by the strong framing of the composition. Notably, Reddy's deliberate use of long exposure to soften the motion of the rushing water imparts a tranquil quality to the photograph, inviting a sense of serenity. Her artistic choices elevate the image, showcasing her keen eye for capturing the beauty of nature and imparting a soothing essence that resonates with viewers.

Grayson Kemp - @new.perspectives.photo

Grayson Kemp, an amateur photographer hailing from Albuquerque, New Mexico, possesses a passion for astrophotography, landscapes, and wildlife. With a deep appreciation for the Earth's exquisite beauty, Kemp uses photography as a medium to honor and celebrate this privilege. Through his captivating work, he aspires to inspire others to care about and protect nature and the Earth. In the image below, he skillfully uses long exposure techniques to capture the movement of the stars and adds a distinctive touch to the showcased image, setting it apart and enhancing its visual impact.

Ryan Ditch - @ryanditchphoto

Another great way to use long exposure is to stretch the lights from cars as they drive down the road. San Diego-based commercial photographer Ryan Ditch did just that with the image below, shot on the Sony Alpha 7R IV and Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master. We love how you can see different types of light all throughout the frame. Starting with the trails of lights from cars long gone to the shining window lights from the tall buildings to the pinpricks of stars in the sky. This is a well-done image that really tells a story. Learn more about the gear he uses in What’s In My Bag: A New Camera + A Trio Of Zooms For Urban & Natural Landscapes.

Matt Stirn - @MattStirn

Photographer and archeologist Matt Stirn travels around the world photographing history, culture, and conservation stories for outlets including National Geographic and the New York Times. The image below was part of a story he photographed for Archeology Magazine about research in Italy. For this image he utilized light painting: a photographic technique that involves using controlled light sources to paint or draw in the frame during a long exposure, resulting in creative and visually stunning images. This is a technique Matt frequently employs to add visual interest to the artifacts he photographs. Learn more about Matt and his work HERE.

L. Renee Blount - @UrbanClimbr

Adventure photographer, L. Renee Blount is based in the Bay area and is a Harvard-trained designer, creative strategist and storyteller. She works in innovation and storytelling to illuminate untold stories and to rethink the future. Check out this epic image from a recent expedition to Vietnam Blount made on the image on the Sony Alpha 7R V. This image uses long exposure to show the trail of light left by an adventurer's headlamp. It's a neat way to show someone exploring the cave, rather than a stagnant person in the frame.

Melissa Groo - @MelissaGroo

Melissa Groo, an Outdoor Photographer columnist, active member of the International League of Conservation Photographers, and a passionate wildlife advocate, has gained widespread recognition as one of the premier bird photographers in the field. Notably, she has contributed to the National Audubon Society by creating the influential Guide to Ethical Bird Photography. The image showcased below, captured by Melissa, exemplifies her exceptional talent and artistic eye. We love how she allowed motion blur to show the speed and movement of the bird. This is certainly long exposure compared to typical bird photography shutter speeds! When it comes to photographing birds, her go-to equipment includes the Sony Alpha 1 paired with the Sony 600mm f/4 G Master lens and Sony 2X Teleconverter, forming a formidable setup. To gain deeper insight into her photographic arsenal, check out "What's In My Bag: Conservation Photographer Melissa Groo's Gear For Ethical Wildlife Photography."

Matt Hernandez – @MattHernandez

Senior portrait and sports photographer Matt Hernandez is well known for creating flawless portraits using his Sony gear and Westcott lights. His Instagram account is fun to scroll through because you get to see his stunning images and many behind the scenes clips. This really showcases how well Hernandez uses light to capture motion and tell a story. This image below is no exception, the student he photographed races drones so to share this in an image, Matt used a long exposure and had the drone circle the subject many times. This created a light trail around the subject and stars in the background! Swipe on the post to see the behind the scenes video of this creative shoot.

Robert Evans – @robertevans

Robert Evans is a highly-regarded wedding photographer. He specializes in documentary-style weddings that capture the true essence and feel of the day. This can mean using motion blur to show the couple tearing up the dance floor like in the image below! Robert shot this on the Sony Alpha 7 III with the Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master. His shutter speed was at 1/25-sec., which is slow for a wedding photographer who wants to be sure to nail every moment. We love the romantic feel of the blur along with the realistic tone the image sets.