Long exposure without shutter release?

I have a Nikon D3100 and I want to take exposures over 30 seconds (The camera's limit), But I don't have a shutter release. Is there some sort of software I can get for my laptop that can act as a shutter release by using a USB cable from my camera to my laptop?

The nikon software that came with your camera should be capable of tethering. There are also apps for the iphone and droid to tether a camera too.

You can use the camera's built-in delay timer or buy the $20 remote control.

Yes it's called "Nikon Capture" but it doesn't come free with the camera. Alternatively you can get wireless shutter releases cheaply on ebay.

Your D3100 supports the Nikon IR remote.

http://www.nikonusa.com/...er%29.html

The software for controlling dSLR's is expensive and is not compatible with your D3100

http://www.nikonusa.com/...atibleWith

I use my camera's self-timer set to 10 seconds. That way the camera has stopped shaking before the exposure starts. Then again, I'm on a really tight budget right now and can't afford anything else at this point. But it works.