How to Use Slow Shutter Speeds for Image Effects

Bluring Motion for Effect

When photographing animals, people, cars or anything in motion, it is normal to use a fast shutter speed to freeze the motion. In most cases this will yield the best photograph. However, sometimes you may want to blur the motion to create an artistic effect. Doing this properly requires patience and some experimentation.

Things You'll Need

• Any digital or analog camera permitting full exposure control
• A tripod

Instructions

1. 

   Set up your camera on the tripod in front of the subject you want to photograph. It is helpful to first use subjects you can control like a remote control car before attempting this at a football game or with wildlife.

2. Set your shutter speed to at least one second or longer. Adjust for proper exposure by adjusting the aperture and if necessary the ISO film speed setting. It is very important to have a proper exposure for the best effect.

3. During the exposure move the camera with the action. The motion must be smooth. If the subject is moving from left to right, pan the camera from left to right. If the subject is moving from up to down, tilt the camera downward with the action.

4. 

   Experiment by using different shutter speeds and readjusting to the correct exposure. Each image will come a little different, you will need to get in touch with your "inner artist" to make the right choice.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the tripod head has a smooth, jerk free motion.

• Longer exposures will allow you to blur motion more

• Don't use it on every photograph, it gets boring.

• You must have patience and a desire to experiment

• It takes a while to perfect this technique