Reasons To Capture Motion
A lot of photographers capture motion simply to convey that an object is moving. But, there are other reasons, too. Movement can communicate mood. Trees rustling in the wind suggest serenity while throngs of people on a busy city block imply harried activity.
You can also use motion to eliminate elements in a scene that may serve as distractions to the viewer. For example, you may want to photograph a person standing on a sidewalk corner as cars move behind him. By blurring everything but your primary subject (i.e. the man on the corner), you can eliminate potential distractions and focus the viewer’s attention.
How to Capture Motion
The shutter speed is the key to controlling how to capture motion. A fast shutter speed will freeze motion. A slow shutter speed captures more of the movement and creates a blur effect, just as we did with the light trails. Focus is another key element in capturing motion. You need to decide what parts of the photo will be clear and in focus and what parts will be the motion blur. The amount of light is another key element that will effect motion capture. Having too much or not enough light will ruin the photograph.
You can even take motion photos with your smartphone. Androids have cameras with shutter speed options. Sorry iPhone users, an Android smartphone's camera is "smarter". Even iPhone users can capture motion by moving your camera. You will have to experiment with different motions (move the camera up and down, spin it in a circular patter, etc.) to figure out what will work.
There are several ways to capture motion and each has a slightly different goal. Sometimes, there is a need to blur certain elements in the image while focusing sharply on a few subjects in the foreground. Other times, you may want to freeze or blur everything. The direction you take depends upon your objective for your photograph.
ASSIGNMENT
Your assignment is to take 10 photographs that demonstrate captured motion using long shutter speeds. I want to SEE the blurred motion/movement.
You must take the following photos, as well as, 7 others.
1 photo should be abstract - you can not tell what the object is - it is a design of blurred lines and shapes.
1 photo should be of an inanimate object that has the illusion of movement.
1 photo should be of a person spinning (set-up in front of a black wall, place a spot light only on the person).
A lot of photographers capture motion simply to convey that an object is moving. But, there are other reasons, too. Movement can communicate mood. Trees rustling in the wind suggest serenity while throngs of people on a busy city block imply harried activity.
You can also use motion to eliminate elements in a scene that may serve as distractions to the viewer. For example, you may want to photograph a person standing on a sidewalk corner as cars move behind him. By blurring everything but your primary subject (i.e. the man on the corner), you can eliminate potential distractions and focus the viewer’s attention.
How to Capture Motion
The shutter speed is the key to controlling how to capture motion. A fast shutter speed will freeze motion. A slow shutter speed captures more of the movement and creates a blur effect, just as we did with the light trails. Focus is another key element in capturing motion. You need to decide what parts of the photo will be clear and in focus and what parts will be the motion blur. The amount of light is another key element that will effect motion capture. Having too much or not enough light will ruin the photograph.
You can even take motion photos with your smartphone. Androids have cameras with shutter speed options. Sorry iPhone users, an Android smartphone's camera is "smarter". Even iPhone users can capture motion by moving your camera. You will have to experiment with different motions (move the camera up and down, spin it in a circular patter, etc.) to figure out what will work.
There are several ways to capture motion and each has a slightly different goal. Sometimes, there is a need to blur certain elements in the image while focusing sharply on a few subjects in the foreground. Other times, you may want to freeze or blur everything. The direction you take depends upon your objective for your photograph.
ASSIGNMENT
Your assignment is to take 10 photographs that demonstrate captured motion using long shutter speeds. I want to SEE the blurred motion/movement.
You must take the following photos, as well as, 7 others.
1 photo should be abstract - you can not tell what the object is - it is a design of blurred lines and shapes.
1 photo should be of an inanimate object that has the illusion of movement.
1 photo should be of a person spinning (set-up in front of a black wall, place a spot light only on the person).