Photography Tip #5 - Motion Blur (Part 1)

There are many ways to use motion blur to make interesting photographs.  There are two key ways to do it, which is why this is a two part tip.  The first way, which we will explore in this tip, is by keeping the camera still and letting the moving subjects blur themselves.  The second is by moving the camera.

The greatest uses I find for doing motion blur is to add a visual element, give a sense of movement or a sense of scale without having the moving subject be your focal point.  Using motion blur is also a great way to just create more abstract and artistic photos.

Motion blur is created by doing a longer exposure, which is also known as dragging the shutter.  The amount of time necessary is really dependent on how quickly your subject is moving, how much light there is and how much blur you want.  The best way to get good at judging what is necessary is to shoot, a lot!  A good starting point is 1/15th of a second and then go longer from there.  For moving cars, I'll do anything from 2 to 10 seconds.  If you just want a stream of lights you can open your shutter for minutes.

The key to taking a good motion blur photo on a tripod is to pay attention to how the blur will look in your final composition.  Obviously a car sitting still takes up a different space in an image than a blur of lights going through the whole image.  You also want to make sure your tripod is absolutely still, so the main reference points in your image don't have any blur applied.

Siena, Italy. The photo uses motion blur so you don't focus just on the people, but they still add to the overall scene.

Denver, Colorado. Motion blurring a car to use it as a compositional element in the photo.

Madrid, Spain. Motion blurring the bull and matador to give a sense of the movement that was happening.

Venice, Italy. Motion blurring gondolas for artistic purposes.

Madrid, Spain. A long motion blur with cars.

Monument, Colorado. Motion blurring students to give a sense of scale and use of the building while still keeping your focus on the architecture



Comments

[dress]

Fashion online shop for Cheap Dresses , Formal Dresses or makeup and other expenses. For the sake of Party Dresses, the couple should ask each matter, and ask whether to include makeup, Evening Dresses , Prom Dresses , Bridesmaid Dresses and all other costs.
Choose the bridal salon that can retrieve the film, because of his remake of the Flower Girl Dresses will be more expensive, Celebrity Dresses . Some sets of lines will be included bridal salon painting attracted a large customer, but if a different style of painting is too large or is not suitable for Cocktail Dresses , it will only get Empire Wedding Dresses , Color Bridesmaid Dresses , the Little Black Dresses should pay attention to this point.