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How to Blur Motion in Photography

Blur motion is a photography technique that blurs either the background or the subject. Panning is where you track the subject in the center of your camera̵7;s viewfinder, use a slower shutter speed and take the picture as your subject goes past you. When done correctly, the resulting image shows a completely blurred background because the camera moves when the shutter is open and the subject remains sharp. By using slow shutter speeds, you can create an image with a blurred moving subject and a sharp background.

Instructions

Blurred Background
- 1
  Attach a wide angle lens to your camera or adjust the lens position to its widest, if you are using a point-and-shoot camera.
- 2
  Turn the camera on and set its exposure mode to ̶0;Shutter priority.̶1; How you do this depends on the make on model. Many digital single lens reflex cameras will have a dial on the top of the camera that can be turned. Most point-and-shoot cameras will require you to access the menu screens and adjust the exposure mode there.
- 3
  Set the shutter to speed to 1/60th of a second. This is a good speed for someone going by on a bike, skateboard or similar. If you are photographing a baby walking, use a slower shutter speed. If you are shooting a race car, then a faster shutter speed will work.
- 4
  Hold the camera to your eye and keep the subject in the center of the viewfinder. The success of this technique relies on the subject remaining in the same location in the viewfinder as you move the camera.
- 5
  Point the camera towards the subject as the subject approaches you. Press the shutter release as you continue to follow the subject with the camera as the subjects goes by you. If you are able to keep the subject in the middle of the viewfinder the subject will be sharp while the background will have motion blur, indicating movement.
Blurred Subject
- 6
  Turn your camera on and set the exposure mode to shutter priority. Set the shutter speed to a speed between 1/60th of a second for slower-moving objects, such as a runner or skateboarder, to a faster shutter speed around 1/180th of a second for cars, motorcycles and other faster-moving objects.
- 7
  Hold the camera to your eye and compose the picture you will take. Focus the camera on the background. Using this technique the subject will be blurred as it passes in front of the camera. If you do not focus on the background, no area in your picture will be in focus.
- 8
  Hold the camera perfectly still and press the shutter speed as the subject passes on front of you. This will result in a picture showing a blurred subject with a sharp background.

Photography