Golden Sunset Clouds Reflected on Mountain Lake

Light on the lake

In this sunset shot of Herbert Lake in Alberta, Canada, lazy clouds and calm waters appear to rush past at a clip. This apparent motion blur is a side effect of the long exposure technique used to create the photo's rich lighting. By setting the camera shutter to remain open longer when the trigger is pressed, a photographer can allow more light to reach the camera's sensor. The tricky part? Moving objects will leave 'trails' that track their motion for as long as the shutter is open. Stationary objects, like the evergreens in the photo's center, will remain in crisp focus—as long as the camera remains very still, meaning most shots like this require a sturdy, stable tripod.