The Travel Chica

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Photography 101: Motion

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Photography 101:  Motion

Photo #1

 

For this shot, I used the blurred motion technique.  I chose to fill the frame with the drums to make the photo all about the movement of the drumsticks. The repeating pattern of the drums and suspenders gives this photo additional interest.

Photo #2

 

For this shot, I used the stopped motion technique.  Water is an obvious thing to shoot for conveying motion, and you frequently see both stopped motion and blurred motion with water.  I chose to stop the motion in this photo because it best highlights this little boy running through the fountain.

What I learned about photography

There are three main techniques for capturing motion:

  • Stopped motion – Typically, you want a shutter speed of 1/500 or faster.  The most important thing to remember is that the photo still must convey motion.  Water droplets in the air obviously convey motion.  If you photograph a car driving down the street, and the motion is completely stopped, can you tell if the car is parked or moving? 
  • Blurred motion – Typically, your shutter speed is 1/30 or slower.  Blurred motion is best for juxtaposing fast things against stationary things. 
  • Panning – This is really, really difficult.  I suck at panning.  Or perhaps I should say that I need to practice panning.  To learn how to do this, consider three things.
    1) Do it at a time of day that has less light so that …
    2) you can start with a shutter speed of 1/30 and slow it down as needed.
    3) The key is a smooth follow-through.  Start moving the camera before you click to open the shutter, and continue moving it until after the shutter has closed.

Have you experimented with capturing motion?  Any tips to share?

 

 

Share a link if you have a photo of what you created this week.

Comments

  4. Great tips. People always compliment me on my photography but the truth is that I don’t know anything technical – just click and shoot. I’m going to start playing around with the shutter speeds like you suggest and see what comes out.
    Frank (bbqboy)

  8. Stephanie, thank you for the practical photo tips. I really like motion photos, especially the blurred ones. I have taken some in the past, but admittedly mostly by accident. I will make sure ti try out your suggestions and hopefully add a bit more purpose to my photos… :)
    Dennis Kopp recently posted..Nusa Lembongan, the Relaxed Getaway

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