Step by step Get caught in the headlights

Here’s how to mount your Nikon D-SLR to your car to capture spectacular traffic trails

01 Suck it up!

Use the mount to attach your camera to the side of your car. Make sure the surface of the car is clean first, and check that the suction mounts are firmly attached. While shooting, wrap the camera strap around your wrist, just in case anything does come loose.

02 Go wide

Shoot with a wide-angle lens so the car is included in the frame. Drive through busy, brightly lit areas, such as city centres, or along motorways and other long, straight roads. If you haven’t got a suction mount, you can always set up a tripod in the back.

03 Go long

You may need to experiment with shutter speed, but 4-8 secs is a good starting point. To allow for the length of the exposure, set a small aperture at ISO100. This will also help to ensure good depth of field, so that everything ‘motionless’ within the image remains sharp.