A friend sent me a link to this photo here today. I have seen it a few times before and it was always (WRONGLY) claimed as being the longest exposure in photographic history. It was taken with a pinhole camera over a period of 6 months by a photographer called Justin Quinnell. It shows the traces of the sun over Bristol’s suspension bridge during that half year period. Which is impressive and beautiful. BUT IT IS NOT THE LONGEST EXPOSURE.
The German photography artist Michael Wesely has created even longer exposures. Using large format cameras (4×5 inches) he captured the light of his objects for up to 3 years in monochrome or colour.
In 2001 he was invited by the Museum of Modern Art in New York to use his unique technique to record the re-development of their building. He set up eight cameras in four different corners and photographed the destruction and re-building of the MoMa until 2004 – leaving the shutter open for up to 34 months!
The sun traces in the sky give the images a beautiful, painting-like feeling. To me it is very surreal to see the movement of the sun – or more precisely the movement of the earth around the sun in such a way.
The photo below was taken over almost 14 months at the Leipziger Platz in Berlin – which at the time together with the Potsdamer Platz formed one of the biggest construction sites in the world.
I find incredible that you can actually see the passing of time. The older parts of the building that were exposed the longest appear darker and clearer. While the newer parts seem more ghost like. More than 2 years took it Michael to create this incredible time incapsulation at the Potsdamer Platz in Berlin (below).
Wesely claims that he could do exposures almost indefinitely – up to 40 years! Now that’s something I would love to see one day.
Here is another image he created. It is a one-year exposure of an office which he took from 29 July 1996 to 29 July 1997.
Here is another one of his mesmerising creations. I don’t know exactly how long he exposed it, but I think it is totally beautiful too. The life and death of a bunch of flowers.
If you are interested in his photographs you can buy his book he published a while ago.
OPEN SHUTTER by Michael Wesely
NEW! UPDATE! PLEASE READ ON!
The tremendous popularity of this article with more than half a million (!) clicks in one month inspired me to contact the artist Michael Wesely himself.
I felt there were questions by readers which I couldn’t answer correctly without talking to Michael. And I also wanted to tell him how much his worked was loved and how many people saw it as an inspiration for their own works and lives.
From the many comments I learned, that many of you were astonished by the beauty of the images but also by the technical aspects of their making. The fact that the light fell for up to 3 years onto the same negative strip without over-exposing seemed just too unbelievable.
But Michael confirmed that he indeed created continuous, uninterrupted exposures over those long periods of time. This can be seen through the long light lines in the sky, which were created by the movement of the sun across the sky during those many months.
Michael Wesely, Palast der Republik, Berlin (28.6.2006 – 19.12.2008), © Michael Wesely,
Michael wanted to highlight that he also sees those lines as an indicator for something else. He told me that “the lines in the sky put our existence, us, our planet into context with the Dance of the Universe, which coexists on an entirely different time scale [from us].”
His works were truly a hard and long labour of love. The so called reciprocity failure or Schwarzschild effect means one can’t simply pre-calculate extreme long exposures.
It took Michael months and months of experimenting to make sure the negatives weren’t going to be over-exposed. He said, if you’d planned to expose for a year you would have to do an exposure of 6 months, and 3 months beforehand and so on. You would have to collect a lot of data and find solutions for a lot of detail problems.
Michael started with pin-hole cameras (1988-1994) but then moved on to use large format cameras (4×5 inches) as these would provide images with a much higher amount of details.
And this is what he was after – details. The technical challenge was never his main driving force. His goal was to capture information that told about our daily lives: the forgetting, remembering, regenerating and the transitions – a general focus point of Michael’s works.
© Michael Wesely
As you can tell from the images certain details are hardly visible and only become ‘alive’ when you get close and spend some time discovering them – something that is only really possible when the images are exhibited as large prints in a gallery.
I really loved what Michael pointed out about the creation of the images. During the long exposure times the pictures constantly destroyed themselves, by putting layers and layers of new details on top each other.
Just when one detail had burned into the negative it was erased or overshadowed by another detail. In his eyes this constant change and destruction is something that really stands for the state of our society. “The moment is fading, all that remaines is the permanent overlapping of movements of all kinds, political or personal. The technologies of our times fuel this fire of restless ‘Online-Existence’. One day computers won’t have an on- or off-button anymore. We will always be online.”
I agree with Michael. We live in a world of constant transition – where even buildings are not constructed to last forever but to be easily destructable when not needed anymore. Or where consumer products are desgined to destroy themselves after 2 years so you have to buy a new one. I have even seen a whole country – the country I was born in – East Germany (German Democratic Republic) – vanish in a blink of an eye. All it stood for, all that a whole generation loved or hated was gone within one year.
It shows that the only thing constant in our times seems to be: Change. Which I think – can be seen as a bad thing – when one misses a save haven where one can anchor his or her heart and soul in stormy times. Or when mankind doesn’t take the time needed to learn from the now to avoid mistakes in the future.
But there is also something great about this constant change and transition. It seems to follow something deeply universal – something so powerful that nobody can stop it. Something that makes life so interesting and unpredictable – and very often worth living.
When looking at Michael’s work I can find all these elements frozen into images that will never seize to amaze me.
If you are interested in his works then check out his new book TIME WORKS which was just published by Schirmer/Mosel Verlag. It is an eclectic mix of Michael’s creations from 1992 until now.
ITCHY EYE 
this is haunting
LikeLike
I also remember seeing that picture that wrongly claimed to be the longest exposure. Thank you for setting this straight, because I don’t even like that picture.
LikeLike
gorgeous. love them.
LikeLike
OH MY GOD. This is a cause to celebrate; inspiration for the rest of us to step up our game (in anything and everything we do).
LikeLike
Sarah – I am glad you see it in the exact same ways as me. It is so inspiring to see someone going through such an incredible amount of effort to get one photo. That’s why it was so important for me to give Michael the credit he deserves. 🙂
LikeLike
But is this really the same thing? The first photo (with it’s 6 month exposure) is made with a pinhole camera, which naturally has no shutter and thus the pinhole is open the whole time (6 month). Wheras it says here:
LikeLike
Hi Mike,yes it is the same technique. Each image is the result of an ongoing exposure of the same piece of film which was held in a pin hole camera. He basically opened the shutter (hole) and then left it open for up to 3 years. The light fell for the whole time onto the same frame of the film. That’s why you can see the long bow-stripes of the sun – as it "moved" across the sky.I have slightly altered my wording in the main text – to make sure it is a bit clearer from now on.Thanks for reading! 🙂
LikeLike
this is awesome…loved the berlin pic…too good
LikeLike
Hi Mike:Excellent results from an extremely "old technology". How’bout that? Imagine, someone actually using film and real talent to create art that will live forever. Take that, digital! Before you get your dander up…I am not a digital hater. I am a person who appreciates those who have studied the craft of creating images and the art of painting with, and controlling light to the point that the rest of us can only dream that we may someday create an image that even is close. All of these images herein were created by true masters. Gentlemen, I salute you.I still feel though that you are opening a debate with "longest exposure" VS " longest continuous exposure" The original piece of the Bristol Bridge by Justin Quinnel is beautiful AND one of the longest "continuous exposures" ever recorded. You can see the true tracking of the sun as evidence of his leaving the pinhole open constantly and continuously. On the other hand the images by Michael Wisely could be more in line with the photographic technique (movie technique), of pixilation, although the difference is that the images are recorded on one single film plane. I suppose that by definition this makes them the true "longest exposures" ….Back in the "old days" of KODACHROME ( c’mon Kodak, bring it back!!!!), images of fireworks were made with a tripod mounted camera and covering and uncovering the lenscap with each burst.Either way these are some of the finest long exposures I have ever laid eyes on, and thanks very much for sharing them. Thanks also for the opportunity to post a comment.Take Care, Tim
LikeLike
Very nice post, i like the focus and general direction of the post, great insight. thanks
LikeLike
The library one is my favorite.3 years? Amazing.
LikeLike
Wow, that’s a truly wonderful work of art. Thanks for posting this.
LikeLike
Pure Awesomeness.
LikeLike
This is THE idea of the century ! How to use one of the oldest human invention to capture "time traveling" and effects.Lumiere Brothers would have trust and love such work !
LikeLike
You might like to check out http://www.solargraphy.com for more on this way of image making
LikeLike
I’m absolutely in love with a couple of these images. I so miss using film, and trying simple but fun experiments with light and the camera. I forget about the art of it sometimes when I get caught up in timelines and the ease of digital cameras. These are great and a great inspiration!
LikeLike
Astonishing what a human can do….Love it love it..
LikeLike
that’s incredible, simply incredible
LikeLike
I appreciate good photography as much as the next person and I don’t mean to burst any bubbles, but seriously… all these people did was take off a lenscap and walk away for months or years at a time. When it came time to process the film, they wound up with something kinda cool.I’m definitely not anti-analog. I work in digital on a daily basis and a lot of times, it’s a flawless bore. Perhaps it’s the size of the images here, but I’m not seeing enough detail to make me think "Wow… these are really important and artful." The art in this process seems to me to be that of any other photo… finding the ideal location for good lighting and composition. The whole "time travel" aspect could have been gotten by setting up a digital camera on a tripod, shooting an image daily and piecing it all together in Photoshop (which has been done to death).I get the whole rediscovered tech thing and the appeal of the analog process, but I guess I’m just not that impressed with the end result. Maybe I’m missing something, so if you can enlighten me, please do… I want to be as amazed as others commenting here seem to be, but I’m just not.
LikeLike
I remember seeing pictures taken by Mr. Wesely in cinemas, exposure time being through the whole movie. Those had a really eerie quality, the only light coming from the screen and, strangely, no people to see in the seats. Unfortunately, his website doesn’t have pictures anymore… 😦
LikeLike
@marc (mks43094@yahoo.com)To me the beauty of these images lie in two facts:The first one is a technical reason. I am amazed that Michael was able to achieve such an incredible long exposure without over-exposing the images. This in my eyes is down to a lot of of experimenting with the matter and the resulting experience. A truly great skill.Secondly the results – the images – themselves – I truly find beautiful. I love seeing the bending lines of the sun over the sky. Lines that our normal eyes could in real life never perceive. It gives the images a special unreal and painting like feeling – but it is not drawn – it is still a photograph.If you don’t find it beautiful then I can’t argue against that. And I don’t want to convince you in any way. Of course it is your point of view and this is down to taste, and some people just have a different taste. Which makes out planet such an interesting one.I just love seeing those images. Seeing how the buildings in their ghostlike manner "grow" into the sky. How I can see the flowers slowly die in one image – knowing that no advanced digital effects were involved – nothing else but simple hundred years old analogue photographic techniques.
LikeLike
These images have a fake light writing.In one way the use of a pinhole camera is cheep but doe´nt have a special advantage over tradicional lenses.In the other "creative" part, the fact that in all images the light anulates the dark. This anulation takes away a big part of the image.Investigations over photographic representations of long times periods, like multiexposure added, can give more information. If a "sharp of mind" construction of the image by the photographer, you´ll get a better use of times representations.Anyways this work has a documental information. Congratulations.Escuse my bad english.
LikeLike
Here is a URL to a photo of an Analemma, the position of the sun each day from a specific site. If nothing else, it is beautiful to see.http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap020709.htmlBrad
LikeLike
@Brad – Thanks so much for your link. The image of the sun positions in the sky is totally beautiful. 🙂
LikeLike
This is so spectacular. I am a beginning professional photographer and my boyfriend stopped me to look at this one day. I’ve seen very long exposures before but I love the way you put them together here with your helpful but not overbearing comments alongside. I think the passage of time is beautiful in the long exposure photographs. You could look at one for hours and still find things new and interesting about it.Thanks again-Shannon Also, thought some of you might like this: http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/the-namib-desert-indoors-12
LikeLike
Sir jorge wrote:"The whole "time travel" aspect could have been gotten by setting up a digital camera on a tripod, shooting an image daily and piecing it all together in Photoshop (which has been done to death)."You would not get the same results like that. To capture the tracks left by the sun, and the illumination of the buildings from every angle of the sun every day requires a continuous exposure.
LikeLike
Amazing ideaa!
LikeLike
I don’t know if it is a shared feeling amongst all viewers of these pictures (most probably with the artists/photographers) but I find these shots astoundingly beautiful. There is something truly ghostlike and paranormal – very interesting to see time passing and yet standing still at the same… time. no pun intended!
LikeLike
My favorite is that little library. Something strange and eerie about it. I’d love to have that in a frame on a wall in my study.
LikeLike
Is it possible that the first photo is the longest exposure using color?
LikeLike
yes the flowers were lovely the table less so 7 and a half out of 10
LikeLike
Awesome
LikeLike
i should add the bridge pic is wonderful
LikeLike
@whoNose – I’m not sure who "mr wesely" is, but I feel you might be thinking of Hiroshi Sugimoto
LikeLike
i cannot help but love this man and his work! and be very grateful to fleuri for introducing me to him and it!!!!!!!
LikeLike
Wow, really interesting, I’ve done some long exposures but I reckon no more than about 30 secs using a Canon EOS 30D one of my efforts is here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesoul97/2476839630/
LikeLike
I don’t see the brilliance of setting a camera up and leaving it’s shutter open for long periods of time. Conceptually somewhat interesting, however, the end results are not impressive.I maintain that the ‘passage of time’ aspect, per marc’s comment, could actually be achieved with a couple of photographs and some technical work with photo editors.
LikeLike
Interesting post you have here. I didn’t know that you could actually do camera exposures up to 40 years. These photos are proof of Wesley’s Incredible effort!
LikeLike
Try that with an iPhone, fanboys!!
LikeLike
Wesely’s work is brilliant and inspiring. It has given me new ideas and helped open my imagination. Thanks for sharing!!!
LikeLike
Perhaps, stupid question, but how do you keep your lens open that long without totally overexposing the shot? Or is that ONLY achieved with a pinhole camera?Would like to try some long exposures with my analog camera but unsure… 5 minutes tops?
LikeLike
Absolutely fabulous. Thanks for enriching my life with these amazing works.
LikeLike
I love a long exposure. I make my men keep it out a looooooong time.
LikeLike
very interestin..especially for someone, that didn't know we can exposure a pic. for so longer. 3 years?if you explain better how that could be possible, i'll apreciate, especially to comment and explain all my crew,( in the construction )we are very apart of civilization in the black jungle in the mountains of chiapas mex. in the construction of a Rural City.in a personal way, i congratulate those photographers that discover such a thing, that feel so good just, to watch the pics. and transport me to another dimension.my regards
LikeLike
I love the life span of the flowers. Such an amazing capture.
LikeLike
Great post! It really shows how creative you can be with long exposures.
LikeLike
The fight to decide who has used the longest exposure is a bit sterile really. On the other hand, it is really interesting to see the results: some of the pictures are really good! The technique shows its worth (independently of the records it is setting, or not…)http://davidikus.blogspot.com
LikeLike
Dear Icy, this is a great story! And yes, the images look ghost alike and if painted with light… Thank you so much for sharing! Laurent
LikeLike
…. hauntingly awesome…. I'd say they were long expossure photographs…. incredible !!
LikeLike
Amazing images I love pinhole photography and long exposures.
LikeLike