Light Trail Photography Guide - Camera Setting & Techniques
Light trail photography captures the movement of cars, trains, and city traffic using long exposure photography. By photographing light trails at night, you can turn everyday roads into dynamic images full of energy, motion, and atmosphere.
This guide explains light trail photography settings, composition techniques, locations, and post-processing tips to help you consistently capture professional-looking light trails.
Essential Equipment for Light Trail Photography
To photograph light trails successfully, you’ll need a simple but reliable setup:
DSLR or mirrorless camera with full manual mode and RAW capture
Sturdy tripod to avoid camera shake during long exposure shots
Remote shutter release or self-timer
Wide or ultra-wide lens (16mm full-frame / 10mm APS-C) for city scenes
Fully charged battery & empty memory card
A stable tripod is essential for sharp light trails in night photography.
DSLR Cameras
Sturdy Tripod
Remote Shutter Release
Ultra-Wide-angle-Lens
Learn how to use your camera, including settings, here.
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Best Locations for Light Trail Photography at Night
Choosing the right location makes a huge difference when shooting light trails.
Urban Light Trails
Busy city streets, landmarks, and skylines create strong backdrops for vehicle light trails and long exposure photography.
Bridges, Roads & Overpasses
Elevated viewpoints allow you to photograph flowing traffic, trains, and curved light trails that act as leading lines.
Office district in London during blue hour with train trailing through the frame
Countryside & Coastal Roads
Winding roads, coastal routes, and reflections on water add contrast and drama to light trail images.
Always prioritise safety and legality when photographing traffic at night.
Car lights trailing through country roads - Photo by Samuele Bertoli on Unsplash
Architectural Interest
Old town areas with cobblestone streets and historic buildings can provide a timeless and picturesque backdrop for your photographs. These settings add character and charm to the dynamic nature of vehicle streaking.
Learn how this actual picture was taken here
St. Pauls Cathederal with London Bus Light Trails
Futuristic Architecture
On the flip side, modern and futuristic architectural designs can create a visually stimulating environment. Look for locations with sleek buildings, interesting lighting, and unique structures.
Light trails in front of Lloyd's building, London
Light Trail Photography Composition Techniques
Strong composition turns simple light streaks into compelling photographs.
Foreground Interest
Add reflections, buildings, signs, or people to create depth in your light trail photography.
St. Pauls Cathederal's with reflection as foreground interest and light trails from a London bus
See how this actual picture was taken here.
Leading Lines & Diagonals
Use roads and light trails to guide the viewer’s eye through the frame and enhance the sense of motion.
Light trails of two trains going into a station at Canary Wharf, London
Light trails of vehicles traveling through London’s Tower Bridge
Symmetry & Balance
Symmetrical city scenes combined with light trails work particularly well in urban night photography.
Light trails of London buses streaking through Tower Bridge
Best Camera Settings for Light Trail Photography
Using the correct long exposure settings is key to capturing clean, bright light trails.
Back of camera with settings for light trail photography
Manual Mode
Always shoot in manual mode for full control over exposure.
Aperture
Use f/8 to f/16 for sharp detail and extended exposure time.
Shutter Speed
Set a slow shutter speed between 4–30 seconds depending on traffic speed and distance.
ISO
Keep ISO low (ISO 100–200) to reduce noise in long exposure night photography.
Focus
Switch to manual focus and focus at infinity for sharp light trails and backgrounds.
White Balance & RAW
Use Auto White Balance and shoot in RAW for maximum editing flexibility.
Timing and Patience
Wait for multiple vehicles to enter the frame and experiment with timing. Great light trail photography often requires patience, planning, and repeated attempts.
Photographer taking light trail pictures
Post-Processing Light Trail Photography
Editing enhances colour, contrast, and clarity in light trail images.
Basic Adjustments
Adjust exposure, contrast, and white balance to make light trails stand out.
Colour & Clarity
Use vibrancy, HSL, and clarity carefully to enhance light streaks without over-processing.
Noise Reduction & Sharpening
Apply subtle noise reduction and sharpening, especially for long exposure night shots.
Advanced techniques like stacking multiple exposures can create denser, more dramatic light trails.
Light trails in front of St. Pauls before editing
Light trails in front of St. Pauls after editing
Conclusion: Mastering Light Trail Photography
Light trail photography combines long exposure technique, creative composition, and careful timing. With the right camera settings, locations, and post-processing, you can transform ordinary traffic into striking images full of motion and atmosphere.
Grab your camera, find a safe location, and start capturing stunning light trails at night.
Check out our full Photographing Cities at Night Course here.
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