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Robert F. Bukaty / AP
The tail lights of a car traveling down a road during a spring snowstorm leave a light trail in this 30-second time exposure in Freeport, Maine on Friday, April 1.
Robert F. Bukaty / AP
Motorists make their way north during a spring snowstorm on Interstate 295 in Freeport, Maine on Friday, April 1.
Photographer Robert Bukaty of the Associated Press tells us how he made the picture (top):
Outside the Frame: 30 seconds in the snow
FREEPORT, Maine — The last time I covered a snowstorm, I made a decent photo of an SUV that was straddling a guard rail after it went off the interstate. I figured I’d probably end up taking pictures of cars off the road again today (which I ultimately did), but I tried to think of something different to shoot to start the day. I started thinking it would be cool to do some time exposures of red tail lights in the blue, pre-dawn darkness, leaving the shutter open for several seconds to capture the moving lights. The trouble is, when it’s snowing this hard, it can be difficult to find a safe place to pull off the road. So I just walked down my driveway and set my camera on a tripod. After taking a test shot, I decided to go with a 30-second exposure. Then I waited for somebody to drive by — three cars and one plow passed in a half-hour, and I got my shot. I was out just long enough for me and my camera to get soaking wet.
Click here for the full story on the April Fools spring storm that knocked out power for thousands and gave kids a surprise reprieve from school.
Leave a Comment:
AMAZING
What I love out long exposure shots like this is the headlights from the car passing lighting up the snow on the ground. So you get this amazing visual of the read lights, and a lighted path of snow where the car "should" have been, but isn't.
Any way not to soak the camera? I have nikon d90 and d200 and neither likes to get wet though the 200 is a bit more impervious
There are some commercial hoods out there, you can make permament fixed models with light plexi, or the simplest, a childs umbrella, cut off handle and attach your own or add a clamp and it will clip on tripod too. Get creative
I've used this chepo method.
Simply enclose your camera inside a ziplock-type bag. Then cut a circular hole a tad-bit larger than the lens diameter in that bag. Then let the lens protrude from the bag a 1/2 inch or so. This way, the body stays dry and you get a clear shot. You'll still be able to use all the camera buttons/functions through the bag.
The only draw back is focusing. You'll probably have to use the d90s auto focus. Unfortunately this may be a problem in low light.
Goodluck.
Great shot what camera did you use? It is a shame we can't do it with our cel phones.
That's an amazing piece of work.
It's a curious picture. I figured time exposure but where's the car attached to lights?
It's a curious picture. I figured it was a long exposure shot. But where is the car? Why do only the lights appear and not the whole car? Shouldn't the car appear blurred as it too moves away?
Have you people never heard of photoshop and the program After Effects? Sheesh...the car was edited out after the long exposure.
Well sorry Mr. "I know everything professional photographers do"... I still don't think thats how it was done
The car wouldn't be lit enough to show if it were moving fast enough. The lights show because there's enough light to be picked up by the camera. I would guess there was no work done in Photoshop to get rid of the car. And Evan, After Effects is for special effects in video, not really meant for still photography.
More, more, I want more!
A basic exposure exercise for all photographic students. I learned the technique on a 4X5 camera. Try doing a picture of a building in the daytime with all the lights on as in a night shot. Shoot a standard exposure in the daytime. and in the evening after dark do the time exposure. Not knocking your photos they are great but no secret to shooting them. Camera must not be moved to get the exposure correct. NO COMPUITRS INVOLVED!
You people would argue about anything!
So glad to see that someone out there recognizes us here in Maine. Curiously, no cars are off the road... hmmm. We Mainers can handle it!
Look for a book by John Hedgecoe, basic photography and find a manual camera or turn your auto to man. if possible, start there. I'm a camera guy who started with dads 60yr old manual 35mm, my first was a Pentax K1000 that has hundreds of miles in a backpack, took some of my best ever and I still have it. Start simple-keep it simple.
Glad to see that Maine is recognized for a change! Yes, the storm is horrendous, but- notice how there are no cars off the road. Shows that we Mainers can handle the elements.
I think it is beautiful to look at - glad I don't live there! Here in Deep East Texas I have a thick lush green yard in the offing - trees are full of green leaves, the red buds and wisteria are brimming withe their beautiful offspring and I have bid adieu to old man winter - adios MF'er!
I like snow but not that much
I just love the photo! Amazing what a few days can do I just visited your lovely state last weekend. Looked nothng like that.