Photography Tip: How To Create Motion Blur

Breathing life, depth and action into a two-dimensional photograph is one of the primary challenges of being a photographer. The vast majority of images we make don’t quite make the cut but occasionally the stars align, our timing is right and the visual dots get connected.

One way of adding motion, focus and intensity to an image is by using a slow shutter speed while panning your camera along with the subject. This “motion blur” technique allows everything in the frame to be blurry while your subject remains crystal clear and tack sharp.

Motion blur takes patience and practice but there are several points that will help you get started. First, panning works best if the subject is moving parallel to the photographer. In other words moving from right to left or left to right across the field of view.

Start with a shutter speed somewhere between 1/30 of a second and 1/8 of a second depending on the speed of your subject and your ability to hold still. The speed of your subject will determine what shutter speed is required. For example, a car moving left to right at 60mph might require 1/60 of a second to achieve a blur while a human walking left to right at 3mph might require a shutter speed of 1/8th of a second to achieve the same amount of blur.

Begin to track your subject while they are still in the distance. Face your body in the direction of where you want to make the actual image then twist back toward the subject as they approach. Keeping your camera steady, focus on the subject while slowly twisting your body and camera in the same direction. When the subject enters your chosen spot, shoot away. Many modern cameras have motor drives build in, so try shooting a sequence of images until you get what you want.

A successful motion blur image can liven up a slideshow, book, or magazine and is a great technique to have at your photographic disposal.