Home >> Hobbies >> Other Hobbies

Blur Motion Photography Ideas

Motion blur, which is achieved by blurring either a moving subject or its background, is one of the most challenging photo techniques. However, it can produce particularly eye-catching images when executed correctly. There are several situations in which this type of photography can be applied, including night scenes, wildlife action and, most notably, sports. However, unlike conventional photography, motion blur requires patience and lightning-fast reflexes.

Night Scenes
- The most dramatic night images depict landmarks or buildings with traffic driving past, creating streaks of light caused by the continuous motion of the taillights. To get this shot, mount your camera on a tripod, focus on the structure and set a long shutter speed by stopping down to a small aperture such as f18. Use a remote control switch or the camera's self-timer to take the shot; this reduces camera shake and ensures the structure is in focus. The resulting combination of focus and blur emphasizes movement and brings the image to life.
Animal Photography
- Motion blur is particularly effective when photographing running wildlife or pets. The secret is to use a slow shutter speed (at 1/100th or 1/80th of a second) while focusing on the animal's eye with a handheld camera. Because of the animal's movement and the slow shutter speed, it can be difficult to get sharply focused images, so take as many shots as possible. This technique, known as panning, is ideal for bird photography. It entails focusing on a flying bird for a few seconds before taking the shot. The result is the bird is in focus while the background is blurred.
Sports Action
- The best place to take motion blur images in sports are at motor racing events. While these types of shots are popular, they also are less challenging than wild animal or pet photography because the cars follow a predictable path and are less likely to make sudden movements. However, horse racing provides the best opportunity to capture animals and people in motion. Position yourself opposite the winning post for the most dramatic shots and, using a slow shutter speed, focus on the leading horse's eyes as it approaches the post.
The Carousel Blur
- Get onto a carousel with your subject and, using a wide angle lens (with a focal length of 10 to 20 mm), take photos of her while the carousel is spinning. Because you and your subject are on a solid platform, she remains in focus while the background is blurred. The wide angle effect helps emphasize the curves of the carousel, giving the image the appearance of being on the edge of the world.

Other Hobbies