One of my favorite techniques while photographing at night is the long exposure. While in Hoi An I go out my tripod and tried to capture the city on camera. Hoi An is beautiful at night, full of hanging lanterns, cobblestone streets, and the paper candle lanterns that it’s famous for. I took the opportunity to setup around the riverfront with my new tripod and my camera set to the shutter priority mode.
What I love about long exposures is it allows you to see in pictures what you see with your eye at night, and sometimes even more. In case you are wondering, a long exposure shot is where you are essentially taking a single picture for several seconds, allowing the camera to pick up all the light, no matter how dark it is. For most of these, I had my camera set to a 10-30 second shutter speed.
Another fun part about these pictures is that they blur any motion. Since you are taking a picture over several seconds anything moving shows up as a streak or other unique shapes. I think it’s interesting to try these in a busy place because you never really know what’s going to show up.
I love the way this type of picture brings out the details at night and the paints the landscape with all of the colorful lights.
Hoi An was by far our favorite town in Vietnam, and even in most Southeast Asia. The town and the river are truly special at night.
If you looking for additional Vietnam Destinations check out our other posts:
- Getting Fat in Vietnam for $5 a day
- Destination Investigation, Sapa Vietnam
- Destination Investigation, Hue Vietnam
- Full Moon Lantern Festival, Hoi An Vietnam
- 7 things I will not miss about Vietnam
- How to get to Hue from Da Nang
Great post! Did you have to use a tripod in these photos?
Makes me excited, I am heading to Hoi An tomorrow!
You’ll love it! I can’t wait to get back there.
Great pictures, I recently visited Hoi An and its amazing. Really great use of your skills and lenses.
This is SO cool. I love that you’ve captured a different side to Hoi Ann and that you have more than just they ‘typical’ tourist photos. You’ve inspired me to look into long exposure shots! Very very cool 🙂
I love these! I need to pick up a lightweight tripod and give it a go. Absolutely beautiful! Do you have any tripod recommendations? I’m looking for lightweight so I can take it backpacking. I really love these shots!
My favourite city in ‘nam. Spent a lot longer than I thought I was going to.
Awesome pics 🙂
Like everyone we’ve spoken to, we really loved Hoi An. Especially getting on a bicycle and exploring the areas nearby.
Thanks Steven. Hoi An is special we know we will return soon.
Absolutely stunning photos! Wow!
Glad you enjoyed them Debbie. Hoi An is our favorite city in Vietnam
Hoi An was one of our favorite cities in Vietnam too. You managed to capture the nighttime beauty of the city perfectly! Such stunning photos.
Hoi An is just something special, and turns magical at night.
Gorgeous pictures!
Thanks, we wanted to share Hoi An in a different way. Glad you enjoyed them.
These are wonderful! I absolutely loved Hoi An when I visited a couple of years ago, and I think you’ve really captured how lovely it is at night.
Thank you, and yes Hoi An was our most favorite town in all of Vietnam! We will be returning and spending most of our time here next time.