One of the fun things we do on my “The Creative Eye” photography course is a session about the creative use of movement. There are two sorts of movement; camera movement and subject movement. They can be used separately or used together. In each case you need to choose a shutter speed that gives the effect you want.
Let’s look at these two brolly twirling shots. They are examples of subject movement…
“Twirling 1/20th sec” by Derek Gale
This image was taken with a shutter speed of 1/20th of a second. It’s quite clear that there’s movement, but it’s also clear that the brolly is made up of different coloured sections.
“Twirling 1/4 of a sec” by Derek Gale
This image used a shutter speed of 1/4 of a second, and the sections of the brolly have averaged out to give a streaky white effect. There’s also a lot more movement in the arms and hands of the person* holding the brolly. *It’s not me by the way!
I prefer the second image with the longer exposure, but there is no “rule”. As with a lot of photography, the right way is the way that you prefer.
Want to know more about use of movement? Why not book some 1-2-1 training or place on my “The Creative Eye” course?
by Derek Gale