Outdoor Photography How To

Nighttime is often the right time for making dramatic images, especially if you know how to utilize long exposures to your advantage. And if you need some inspiration to give this technique a try, feast your eyes on these gorgeous shots from a British travel photographer.

Nige Levanterman does commercial travel photography for Thomsen Cruises, Accor Hotels, and a number of destination clients. The London-based photographer also shoots for himself, and some of his most stunning work is done after the sun drops below the horizon.

Using slow shutter speeds (and a firm camera support) to sharply render static objects while creating light trails and the blur of moving elements is a well-established approach to shooting after dark, and Levanterman does it with perfection.

He has been traveling the globe to shoot these night scenes “in places that make people who they are,” he says. He began this project in London, capturing the headlights and taillights of vehicles moving through traffic, with well-known landmarks like the city’s Chinatown, Trafalgar Square and Big Ben illuminated by swirling light.

Levanterman’s final images come straight out of his camera, without Photoshop work or other post-processing. You can view more of his stunning imagery on his Instagram page. Then grab your camera, hit the streets, and give this a try!