5 Tips for Better Long Exposure
Use a tripod, obviously for stability
Use a cable release, to reduce camera shake due to it being touched when you press the shutter release button
If your lens / camera has image stabilisation, turn it off
Mirror Lock Up (MLU), for SLRs / dSLRs, reduces camera shake when the mirror slaps back down
Cover the viewfinder, to reduce light leak entering from the rear-end of the camera
How you attain your long exposure, be it by using an Neutral Density (ND) filter, or shooting in a dark environment, or a mix of both, follow the above and you’re more likely to get a sharper and clearer image.
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