![Star Trails over Lake Tahoe Star Trails over Lake Tahoe, 2006](http://blog.kurtlawson.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/tahoe_night_4311.jpg)
Star Trails over Lake Tahoe, 2006
One thing I’ve found to be intriguing about night-time photography is the phenomenon of “star trails.” Star trails are created by leaving the camera shutter open for long periods of time to let the light of stars paint across the film. The effect is no different than any other long exposure side effect, with the exception that the movement represented is the rotation of the Earth rather than of the camera. Depending on the composition, this can produce some interesting results. Star trails can be seen in exposures as low as 30 seconds. However the more dramatic trails require exposures of an hour or even longer.
![An hour of the night An hour of the night, Lake Tahoe, CA 2006](http://blog.kurtlawson.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/tahoe_night_hour1.jpg)
An hour of the night, Lake Tahoe, CA 2006
![Star Trails and Clouds Star Trails and Clouds, Mt. Pinos, CA 2007](http://blog.kurtlawson.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/comprehensive_004371.jpg)
Star Trails and Clouds, Mt. Pinos, CA 2007
![Astronomers and Star Trails Astronomers and Star Trails, Mt. Pinos, CA, September 2008](https://blog.kurtlawson.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto4/images/blank.gif)
Astronomers and Star Trails, Mt. Pinos, CA, September 2008
![Star Trails over Providenciales Star Trails over Providenciales with half Moon, Turks and Caicos Islands November 2006](https://blog.kurtlawson.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto4/images/blank.gif)
Star Trails over Providenciales with half Moon, Turks and Caicos Islands November 2006
![Star Trails over the Caribbean Star Trails over the Caribbean, Turks and Caicos Islands November 2006](https://blog.kurtlawson.com/wp-content/themes/prophoto4/images/blank.gif)
Star Trails over the Caribbean, Turks and Caicos Islands November 2006
This short sequence of frames shows the progression of star trails in exposures of 5 to 30 minutes.
by Kurt
Emily - These are so beautiful, Kurt! I just love the star pictures. You have so much talent.
Danny Hussey - Great blog and great images!
http://bit.ly/bv3s3P