Long Exposure Photography - some cool examples

A long exposure of an airplane taking off.

Here's some examples I've found recently of long-exposure photography.  These images were all shot using a slow shutter speed which, as we learned in class, lets in MORE light.  Therefore, you'll notice that almost all of these examples were shot at night or in very dark situations so that the photographer could leave the shutter open for a long time without overexposing the image.  Also you'll notice that in EVERY example there is also VERY deep depth-of-field.  That is because using a VERY SMALL aperture opening (or higher f-stop number, like f/22) lets in LESS light at once.  By keeping the amount of light hitting the film as low as possible, the photographer has created the opportunity to use a very slow shutter speed.

Driving through a tunnel.

A great example of 'painting with light.'  See the star streaks? You can tell this was taken at nighttime (or at least dusk/sunset) - it looks like daytime because the shutter was open long enough to let more light in.

This one has got me thinking of all kinds of shots I could do like this in NYC... just be careful of traffic!

Looks like sparks raining down from some sort of construction.  Neat effect, huh?

EXTREME star trails! This shutter was left open for HOURS.

A lighthouse at night - the shutter was left open just long enough to catch one full rotation of the lamp.

More cars at night.  Notice the extremely deep depth-of-field!