Motion Blur Photography | Understanding the Fundamentals

Mastering motion blur in photography isn’t just about technique—it’s about breaking the rules to create something raw, unexpected, and entirely your own. Whether you’re drawn to dreamy, artistic chaos or subtle, dynamic movement, motion blur and shutter drag can elevate your work in ways that stop people in their tracks. In this blog, we’re diving into the fundamentals of motion blur, from understanding shutter speed to top tips for nailing those intentionally blurry shots that scream creativity.

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Top Tips for Mastering Motion Blur and Shutter Drag Photography:

1. Use a Higher f-number (Small Aperture):
   To achieve proper exposure with a slow shutter speed, set your aperture to a high f-number, like f/7 to f/11 or even higher. This reduces the amount of light entering the lens, which is especially important when shooting in bright sunlight.
   

2. Slow Down Your Shutter Speed:
   To create beautiful blur, experiment with slow shutter speeds, typically between 1/10 and 1/50 seconds. The exact setting depends on how much motion blur you want—slower speeds for more dramatic blur, faster for subtle effects.
   

3. Adjust ISO to Keep It Low:
   A low ISO (like 100 or 200) helps avoid overexposure when using a slow shutter speed. This works especially well in daylight or when you’re trying to maintain sharpness in certain areas of the photo.
   

4. Stabilize or Move the Camera:

   • Subject in Focus, Background Blurred: Use a tripod to stabilize the camera while your subject moves. This creates a crisp subject with blurred surroundings.

   • Subject Still, Camera Moves: For creative light streaks or dreamy motion effects, lock focus on your subject and move the camera intentionally while taking the shot.
     

5. Back-Button Focus is Your Best Friend:
   Using back-button focus allows you to lock focus on your subject before they start moving. This ensures that even with all the motion, your subject will remain sharp while everything else blurs beautifully.
   

6. Direct Your Subject’s Movement:
   Encourage your subject to spin, run, or move dynamically within the frame. The faster the motion, the more dramatic the blur effect. Don’t be afraid to let them play or improvise—it’s part of the fun!
   

7. Experiment Indoors with Controlled Lighting:
   If you’re shooting indoors or in low light, you can use studio lights or ambient light sources like fairy lights. These are perfect for creating dreamy light streaks and enhancing the artistic feel of the blur.
   

8. Don’t Overthink It:
   Motion blur is about embracing unpredictability. Let go of perfection, play around, and allow the movement and light to guide your creativity. Some of the best shots happen when you least expect them!

Motion blur photography isn’t about perfection; it’s about freedom. It’s about letting go of rigid expectations and leaning into the artistry of movement, mood, and mystery. The techniques we’ve covered here will give you a strong foundation, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. If you’re ready to truly master motion blur and create images that challenge the norm, you need to check out “Blurred: Using Motion Blur in Photography with Sarah Driscoll.”

In this course, I’ll show you how to create captivating, rule-breaking photos with motion blur that stand out in any portfolio. From a behind-the-scenes session to practical, game-changing tips, this isn’t just about learning—it’s about transforming your art. For just $29.99, you can get instant access—or, join Unraveled Academy for only $15 a month and unlock this course (and so much more).

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