How to use slow shutter speeds.
As humans we are designed to always be moving, whether it's a twitch or a flat out sprint our bodies never stop. Recently I've been re-discovering the art of capturing movement with my camera. To be honest it's not really that easy - but, when you get the settings right there are some subtle and seductive qualities that are hard to beat. Shooting with movement definitely adds interest and can help describe the scene far more than a razor sharp image ever could. There's a few tips and ideas that seem to work for me:
As humans we are designed to always be moving, whether it's a twitch or a flat out sprint our bodies never stop. Recently I've been re-discovering the art of capturing movement with my camera. To be honest it's not really that easy - but, when you get the settings right there are some subtle and seductive qualities that are hard to beat. Shooting with movement definitely adds interest and can help describe the scene far more than a razor sharp image ever could. There's a few tips and ideas that seem to work for me:
- Slow shutter speed setting: Typically anything under 1/30th sec will start to add movement
- Anything under 1/30th sec will typically require a tripod.
- Look for scenes that have isolated movement, images always look better when there is a combination of blurred movement and sharp elements
- Try moving the camera and subject slowly in sync for a sharp subject and slightly streaked background
- Try moving the camera and subject rapidly in sync for a sharp subject and very streaked background
