There are a number of ways to capture motion, and the methods you choose will be determined by the shutter speed you use and the movement of your subject. Here are some fun and easy ways to convey action in your photos.
Freezing the Moment
You’ll need to use a combination of a high ISO setting and fast shutter speed to get exciting, stop-action images. In order to work quickly, set your camera on shutter priority mode to select the shutter speed and allow the camera to automatically choose the aperture setting for the best exposure. A setting of 1/1000 second will give you a sharp image of all but the speediest subjects, and most cameras have the capability of shutter speeds as fast as 1/8000 second. Use an ISO setting ranging from 400 to 1600, depending on the light.
Nearly all DSLRs today have a continuous shooting mode that allows you to shoot multiple exposures in rapid succession, as well as continuous focusing for quickly moving subjects. To stop action with shutter speeds of 1/500 or faster, it’s best to use a lens with a wide maximum aperture.A sense of timing is also very important. If you wait to press the shutter button until you see the peak of action, it will be too late. While using your continuous focusing mode, it’s best to follow your subject through the lens. Learn to anticipate the peak of action and snap your photo a split-second before it occurs.
Blurring Movement
One creative way to show motion is to allow a moving subject to become blurred during a long exposure time. This approach is very effective when you shoot a blurred subject that contrasts with sharp or recognizable surroundings, such as this image of a moving train with a silhouetted man in the foreground who remains stationary. The shutter speed you select will depend on how fast your subject is moving and the amount of image blur you want to achieve. In this photo of a train arriving at a station, a shutter speed of 1/15 second allowed for considerable blurring.
An even faster subject, like a speeding car, can blur at a shutter speed of 1/125 second. On the other hand, you can capture a smooth, silky waterfall at a shutter speed of one second or more. Use a low ISO setting, between 100 – 200 when you want to capture blurred motion. If you’re shooting in bright sunlight and find it difficult to get long exposures, try using a neutral-density or polarizing filter, which will cut down on the light reaching the camera’s sensor.
Panning
This is another great way to instill a sense of motion when photographing a moving subject. When panning, you simply follow a subject with your camera during a long exposure, much the same way that a marksman follows a moving target. If it’s done effectively, you’ll get a relatively sharp subject against a blurred background. The subject will probably not be entirely sharp, but a little blurring adds to the feeling of motion. Shutter speeds of 1/15 to 1/30 second will allow for hand held exposures, while slower speeds may necessitate use of a tripod. Use a low ISO setting, and if the light is bright, consider using a neutral-density filter.
Timing and smooth camera movement is crucial to a successful panning shot. Start following your subject before you release the shutter, and continue to follow it after you hear the shutter click. Press the shutter button gently to avoid jerking the camera, and rotate your entire upper body to follow your subject.This technique takes a lot of practice, and not even pros nail it 100% of the time.
Zoomed Lens Technique
Zoom lenses are very versatile because they enable us to make a subject larger or smaller in an image. And with a simple push or pull of the zoom lens during a timed exposure, you can bring life and movement to a stationary subject. Tripod use is up to you, but I usually use one because I think that it results in a cleaner image. The most common result of zooming (or racking) the lens during a long exposure is the appearance of lines radiating out from the center of your subject.
You can use the zooming technique with any number of subjects. However, bright lights against a dark background often yield the most dramatic images. To create a zoomed image, you’ll need to use a slow shutter speed of at least 1/30 second, and preferably longer. Zoom through the full range of the lens’s focal lengths for intriguing results, or even just partway. Experiment by zooming from the wide end to the longest end, and vice versa. Depending on the lighting conditions, you should use a small aperture setting and a low ISO.
“Painting” With a Slow Shutter Speed
Instead of moving only the lens during a long exposure, experiment by setting the entire camera in motion. You can capture some dynamic images of stationary objects this way. Some of the best subjects are neon signs or buildings at night, but you can also capture some great impressionistic images of flowers or foliage daylight.
The amount of movement that occurs when you simply hand-hold a camera during a long exposure is often enough to produce a pleasing amount of blur. You can also move the camera up and down, side to side, or in a circular motion for artistic effects. Just remember that even slight camera movement during an exposure time of ¼ to ½ second can produce an abstract rendering of your subject. The results of camera movement are often unpredictable. And because of the long shutter speeds involved, it’s a good idea to experiment with different exposure settings. Again, it’s a good idea to use low ISO settings and small apertures.
You’ll find that opportunities to capture motion are nearly everywhere. So get out and shoot some exciting images!
Featured Image by Lynne Eodice on Unsplash.
