Sunil Mehta
April 2026 - Lightstream
Original
About the Image(s)
EXIF:
Camera: Leica SL
Lens: Panasonic Zoom 24-105mm at 71mm.
ISO 50, 30 Sec Long Exposure at f/13
Tripod Sirui and Acratech Ball Head
Post-Processing:
Processed using Lightroom and Photoshop. A slight crop was applied, along with selective adjustments to contrast and saturation.
About the Photo:
This was my first attempt at long-exposure light trails. I found a spot on a small bridge overlooking the freeway with the city skyline in the background. It was a straightforward setup??”camera on a tripod, low ISO, and experimenting with exposure times between 15 and 60 seconds. This particular shot was taken at 30 seconds.
6 comments posted
Really like the processing to bring out the clarity in the trails - great separation. Great composition - like the off setting lights - interesting that the one on the left is white and the one on the right is orangish - mirrors the car light trails. Really nice. Posted: 04/04/2026 19:32:49
The light trails are beautifully captured, and the post-processing is great! However, I think the white light trails could have been a bit more vibrant-I'd like them to be closer to the original. Posted: 04/06/2026 17:08:43
I live the lines and I love taking photos like this. I do think you got a little too aggressive with recusing the intensity of the highlights. I edited your original and pulled the highlights down just enough so that that there are no blown out pixels. Posted: 04/07/2026 04:01:41
Sunil, I love this! So nice to see you working in color and trying something completely different.
I do see the point Ed is making about possibly adding a bit more white back as an option.
My only suggestion is to crop down a bit from above, as the sky doesn't add anything. Posted: 04/08/2026 01:31:44
I do see the point Ed is making about possibly adding a bit more white back as an option.
My only suggestion is to crop down a bit from above, as the sky doesn't add anything. Posted: 04/08/2026 01:31:44
Nice trails. I'd like pictures including tail ligts of cars to show their true red color. The reason such photographs make the tail lights orange is because the bright tail light blows the red, but not the yellow, leading to relative over representation of the yellow, resulting in the orange. A filter that specifically attenuates yellow and red would fix the problem, but it should be possible in post to restore the true color of the tail lights. Posted: 04/14/2026 16:04:17
I really like this work. This image uses a long exposure to depict car trails, with red and white light forming flowing curves that evoke a strong sense of speed and rhythm. The foreground road guides the eye to the city skyline, creating a layered and deep composition. The architectural lights contrast sharply with the night sky, resulting in a modern and urban atmosphere. Thank you for sharing.
Posted: 04/15/2026 01:36:39
Posted: 04/15/2026 01:36:39