Long exposures are a fantastic way to simplify your scene and draw attention to your subject. But moving objects in the frame, like swaying trees or shifting boats, can blur and distract from the final image. This technique shows you how to manage motion while preserving sharpness, offering a practical approach for challenging conditions.
Coming to you from Christian Möhrle – The Phlog Photography, this practical video explains how to combine multiple exposures to balance silky smooth motion with sharp, stationary details. The first step is capturing a standard long exposure to achieve that classic smooth water or flowing waterfall effect. To address unwanted motion, a second photo is taken with a faster shutter speed to freeze moving elements like branches or objects in the frame. This approach keeps your subject and background harmonious without distracting blur.
The tutorial emphasizes the importance of consistency. Using a tripod ensures the camera remains in the same position, which is critical for blending exposures later. Möhrle also covers how to maintain consistent brightness between shots. For example, if you shorten the shutter speed, you can compensate by adjusting the aperture or ISO to match the original exposure. This ensures seamless blending when the images are combined in Photoshop.
Blending the images requires careful masking. By isolating areas that need sharpness—like leaves or boats—you can preserve the long exposure’s dreamy look while adding clarity to essential details. Möhrle demonstrates using a black layer mask in Photoshop, revealing sharp elements only where needed. This method creates a balanced image that feels natural and polished.
This technique extends beyond waterfalls. Möhrle shows how to apply it to other scenarios, like capturing moving boats on a lake. He even uses Photoshop’s generative fill to handle tricky areas, such as removing distracting objects from one exposure before blending. The process ensures clean, sharp results while maintaining the artistic motion effects of a long exposure. Check out the video above for the full tutorial from Möhrle.
And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out our latest tutorial, “Photographing the World: Japan II – Discovering Hidden Gems with Elia Locardi!”