Light trail photography: streaks of traffic and motion
Long exposures turn car headlights into glowing ribbons. Learn locations, settings and timing for dramatic light trails.
Light trails are one of the easiest and most rewarding night techniques. Moving lights become continuous lines while static scenes stay sharp.
Location
Find a spot overlooking a busy road, roundabout or avenue: Paseo de Montejo, Periférico bridges or the monument roundabouts in Mérida work well. Safety first: stay off roads.
Settings
- Tripod and remote
- ISO 100
- Aperture f/8 to f/16
- Shutter 5 to 30 seconds, depending on traffic density
Timing
Blue hour gives a colorful sky plus trails. Rush hour provides more traffic and fuller trails.
Composition
Curves and roundabouts create flowing lines. Include buildings, monuments or street signs as anchors.
Bulb mode and stacking
For longer trails, use bulb mode with a remote or shoot many 15-second exposures and stack them in software for continuous trails without overexposure.
Variations
Buses create high trails; motorcycles create single thin lines; carousels and Ferris wheels at fairs create circles of light.
