Long Exposure Freeway at I-405 / CA-133 in Irvine Ca

[kaamoss]

Here's the rest of the photos that I took for this set last night http://www.flickr.com/photos/7519022@N02/sets/72157622806845975/

EXIF Data:
Camera: Nikon D3000
Exposure: 30 sec (30)
Aperture: f/18
Focal Length: 36 mm
ISO: 200

Full details here. This is one from my first batch of shots with my new Nikon D3000 and SLIK 330DX tripod. I welcome all criticism and don't be afraid to be harsh. Thanks for any help/advice you can provide. Also there is no post processing done on these 2, mostly raising the blacks levels and vibrancy in lightroom.

Specifically I'm looking for advice on how I could better compose the shot, if it's over/under exposed, if the exposure time is too long, if the ambient lighting is distracting, etc. This was just a convenient place as it's a bridge/sidewalk over the freeway that is walking distance form my place. I'm hoping to go back out tonight and try to take some more and looking for advice I could use to improve these shots I'm going to take later tonight. Thanks for any help or advice you can give!

[mpf777]

I have never really done this type of shot myself but I am wondering if you brought the exposure down just a bit if it would help the road sign at the right to not have as much of a hot spot.
The other thing I notice is your horizon is dipping to the right, easily fixed in a photo editing program with the straighten tool.
Other than that I like it, has nice colors to it and the streaking lights add interest in these shots.
One other idea might be to find a spot where you can also line up the city in the background.

Mike

[kaamoss]

Mike,
Thanks for the feedback. I'll try the same shot at some lower exposures and larger apertures tonight. I think that the light on the sign in this shot was because the cars headlights were hitting it (the sign is reflective) for the duration of the shot. I think if the sign was farther in the distance it might be less of an issue. I agree that I would have liked to shoot from the center of the freeway between north/south bound but this location has lower power lines that would be distracting in the shot unfortunately. I'm working on scouting a few other locations to try this though. Once again thanks for taking the time to look and give me some feedback, I can't wait to share the results of some more experimentation.

Cheers,
Matt