Mastering some of the best-known camera techniques can help you capture some really unique images and will supercharge your growing skills and learning. Experimenting with these creative techniques will take your photography to a whole new level. One such technique which adds an amazing sense of energy and movement to your photos is the motion blur technique. Let’s delve into motion blur to see how it can add a whole new level of creativity to your work.
So what’s motion blur?
Motion blur is what looks like the ‘streaking’ or blurring of a moving object or subject in a photograph. The effect is achieved by keeping the camera shutter open longer while capturing a moving subject. It creates a sense of movement, almost as if the object is moving as you look at it. The effect can be heightened where there are both moving and static objects in the frame, with the moving objects blurring while the static objects stay in focus. It can occur accidentally, but many professional photographers use this intentionally to add dynamism to their images. Motion blur is often used in sports, action, street and wildlife photography, and adds drama and excitement to the image.
So how do you go about achieving this effect?
Choose the right shutter speed: A slower speed, typically from 1/30th of a second right up to several seconds, allows enough ‘open’ time for a moving subject to blur in the captured image. Exactly which speed you choose depends on the environment, lighting, your desired amount of blur and speed of the subjects. Being able to gauge the shutter speed without experimenting is a skill you need to develop, so at the start, you will need to experiment and check as you go. A faster shutter speed will result in less of a blur, so the slower the speed, the more pronounced the effect. Beware stability at lower shutter speeds, as this can result in the entire image being blurred, ruining the localised effect
Stabilising the Camera: Some of the more effective motion blur images contain both static and moving objects in frame. The static object remains in focus, while the moving objects are blurred. This really heightens the moving effect. It’s crucial to pay attention to the static areas and keep those in focus. Using a stabilising method, such as bracing yourself against a wall, or using a tripod should help with this. Many modern cameras also feature stabilisation features in the lens or camera itself.
Composing Creatively: Always think about composition and the overall structure of the image. You will need to consider where the moving object will be in a couple of seconds and position yourself to take advantage of this so the object fits in with the overall composition. Try out different angles and perspectives to figure this one out. It’s probably good to try out places where the movement is repeated over and over - such as the whirling of fairground rides, or a busy road with constant but moving traffic. Do consider the background as part of the overall composition and ensure that it is well framed too.
Experimenting with Different Subjects: there are many online examples of similar experiments from which you can get some inspiration, but motion is everywhere around you! Excitable pets, children playing, animated conversations, crowds on a street - these can all provide easily accessible motion subjects. Some further afield examples are flowing water, busy road traffic, dancers, athletes, football matches
"Motion blur" by Jsome1 is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Post-Processing: as always, we advocate only limited and subtle post-processing adjustments. Judicious use of this can play a role in enhancing the output. Careful use of contrast, saturation and brightness adjustments can emphasise the blur effect and help to make the subject stand out a little more. If you really are feeling adventurous, experimenting with vignettes or artistic filters can enhance the mood of the image.
Practice and Experimentation: embrace the spontaneity. Mastering this technique requires, time, practice, experimentation. You may not get the image you set out to get, but you may get something better! At the very least, you will gain invaluable experience and it makes the job easier for the next time you pick up the camera. It is crucial for this learning process that you are prepared to change it up and try different settings, subjects, lighting, angles and more.
