Photojournalist
College-age interns navigate a low-ropes course during a team building activity. (Photo copyright John Palmer Gregg)
A lot of people are afraid of showing any motion in their images. They think the blur is distracting, or shows bad camera control, however showing motion in an image is a great way to make it seem more alive, more “real,” and add a sense of urgency and confusion. This previous image show how keeping a subject sharper while the rest of the image is blurred through motion. This shot, taken at 1/60 of a second, was taken while the subject was falling forward keeping the camera the same distance from her, which allowed the rest of the frame to blur.
Another simple method of this is to pan the camera while following a subject.
College-age interns navigate a low-ropes course during a team building activity. (Photo copyright John Palmer Gregg)
When you try this make sure that you are using a slower shutter speed, at least 1/60 or slower, the slower that you can still hold the subject sharp the better. This was shot at 1/30. By moving the camera along the same path as the young man, you get the sensation of moving along with him.
Notice in the following image how the movement heightens the sense of drama and disorientation in the image.
College-age interns navigate a low-ropes course during a team building activity. (Photo copyright John Palmer Gregg)
This allows the viewer to get more of a “feel” of what it would be like to be in their position. It adds to the ability of the viewer to identify with the subject, which is a very important factor in effective documentary type images. Shot at 1/20.
This last image has much of the same feel to it as the previous one.
College-age interns navigate a low-ropes course during a team building activity. (Photo copyright John Palmer Gregg)
Shot at 1/30.
So, don’t be afraid of a little “blur” in your images. They can add dramatic effect, give a sense of movement, connect the subject with the image viewer, and are a whole lot of fun to capture.
