What Is Motion Blur and How To Capture It?
Motion blur can be a fantastic technique to use in your photography. It creates smooth images and adds an artistic vibe. After all, freezing action is what cameras are made to do, but what if you can both blur and freeze at the same time? The complex-looking result can be achieved with simple techniques. Read on to find out how. Motion blur adds dynamics and movement to your image. It also helps separate the subject from the background, just like bokeh.
Motion blur can be a fantastic technique to use in your photography. It creates smooth images and adds an artistic vibe. After all, freezing action is what cameras are made to do, but what if you can both blur and freeze at the same time? The complex-looking result can be achieved with simple techniques. Read on to find out how.
Motion blur adds dynamics and movement to your image. It also helps separate the subject from the background, just like bokeh. Motion blur helps to capture the scene like the human eye: fast-moving objects are blurred, while stationary objects appear sharp. The ability to capture that blur in a natural-looking way is no easy task at first. However, with practice and a few simple techniques, this result can be achieved very fast. Motion blur is common in almost all genres of photography: from fashion to nature, and from sports to landscape.
Regardless of what technique you use, there is gear that is a must if you want to capture motion blur. First, of all, a good stable tripod that will support your camera and lens. The second is a good tripod head which can lock in place, but also let you make fine adjustments in composition. Finally, a remote shutter release is never a bad idea as it helps you eliminate unwanted shake from the picture.
There are two techniques that you can use to capture motion blur. We will discuss how to capture motion blur by having your subject move, and how to capture motion blur by having your camera move. The two yield different results, and it is beneficial to know which to use when, as a different situation will demand a different approach every time.
Have Your Subject Move
The first method of capturing motion blur is having your subject move. Suppose the following situation: you’re photographing a scene with flowing water and static rocks.You want to capture the scene and use the motion of water to create motion blur.
This is possible with a long shutter speed, the longer the shutter the smoother the water. In order to reduce shake and make the image possible, you will need a tripod, tripod head, and a remote release.One such combination is the Manfrotto, and the .
This high-performance kit combines two characteristics of a good tripod: lightweight and reliable. The tripod itself has become a go-to among many creators for their most demanding projects. Now it enjoys the “professional” status because it features the new high-performance carbon fiber legs. Lightweight, yet rigid construction allows the to be much lighter. At the same time, the twist locks add to the portability of the 190go.
As mentioned, ball heads should be rigid enough to hold your camera and make sure it doesn’t slip. The is just that. It ensures camera stability and security even with heavy equipment. It features an innovative triple locking system that ensures shake-free shots.
Finally, the Link is a tool that will allow you to let go of your camera and serve as the ultimate remote trigger. Using the Genie Micro is as simple as sliding it into the hot shoe, connecting it to the camera, and opening the relevant app on your phone. The Genie Micro will enable you to capture stunning imagery without the risk of unwanted shaking. Be sure to create the time-lapse of your life, and worry about the creative, not the technical. After all, gear is there to make your job easier.
Have Your Camera Move
Moving your camera will introduce a different kind of a blur, a so-called panning blur. Ever wondered how photographers take photos of fast-moving subjects and keep the subject sharp while the background is blurred? That is done by moving the camera, both panning, and tilting.
Simply set your shutter speed to a low value, meter as you normally would, and shoot!
The challenge in doing this sort of blur is in the accuracy with which you can follow the subject. Doing it handheld is possible, but it is not without considerable challenges.
The same applies to using a ball-head. Because it moves in all 3 axes, it becomes very difficult to track a subject and ensure sharpness. Lastly, there is no comfortable way to grip the camera.
This exactly is where the Manfrotto comes in handy. A system comprised of a dedicated 190X video aluminum tripod featuring a levelling column for quick and easy set-up, and the is the best solution to panning with accuracy and reliability.
The fluid cartridges inside the video head will ensure that the panning and tilting are as smooth as possible.
Closing Remarks
As you can see, the ability to capture motion blur is a valuable asset in your creative arsenal, and you can use it to create fantastic imagery.
All you have to know are the two techniques.
Pair this knowledge with fantastic and reliable equipment, and you will have everything you need to create your next great image with motion blur!
