Light trails

[jason81]

Hi folks, I've been a longtime lurker on these forums and thought I'd try posting some of my own images. Here are some light trails captured from downtown Toronto.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/61562605@N00/4524440437/

EXIF:
Camera: Nikon D5000
Exposure: 13
Aperture: f/10.0
Focal Length: 60 mm
Focal Length: 59.9 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: No Flash
(also used an ND0.9 filter)

Would love any sort of feedback! I like this photo for the most part but feel like it's missing the sort of 'oomph' that captures your attention right away, but couldn't really figure out what it is. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

[doubleconvex]

The Pros: Technically, this is a well executed long exposure shot. The composition is also well thought out, along with the leading lines formed by the light trails.

Cons: As with all long exposure shots, you will always run into a few over-exposed areas. These can be "burnt" in Photoshop or any other Photo-Editing tool. There also appears to be a rather large dark spot on the foreground right in the middle - not sure of that was roadwork, a defect in the road, or someone's shadow, but its a tad distracting.

Suggestions:
While the light trails leave lots of leading lines, the question becomes, what are they leading the viewer's eyes to? Right now, the subject matter is the light trails themselves. However, if you were at, say Times Square or the Flatiron building in New York City or perhaps the Arc de Triumph in Paris, you could use light trails to draw attention to your primary subject (the jumbo tron, the Flatiron, or the Arc itself). Consider the use of trails as leading lines in your next such long exposure shot.

Also, you have shot this image well into the night. For best results, shoot during the "blue hour"... within 30 minutes on either side of sunset and sunrise. This will allow you to balance your tones and colours.

The two suggestions above will give you a little "Oomph!"

[Laurenbiz]

I agree with correcting the light trails, but I think that's minor, in my opinion.

I really love this shot! Great work :-)

[windrider86]

We like for you to post your photo here on DPS. could you be able to do that for us please? Also please take a moment to read the guidelines so you'll know what should e included in your posts.
And, WELCOME!!!

[photo]

I like the shot but do think that doubleconvex's suggestions will make a great one, a wall hanger. Hopefully I can do a similar shot in the near future.

[jason81]

Thanks for the feedback!