Intentional Blur

Reduced ISO in a dark room creates motion blur.

I’ve had several emails come in lately asking for a technique post. So here we go, into the wonderful world of intentional blurriness.

Typically when I’m looking to have on object blur, it’s a fast-moving object that I’m tracking with the camera, ideally hoping to capture the object in crisp clarity while blurring the background. Fast shutter speed and the ability to pan steadily along is key here. More on that later.

Tonight, however, I want to look more at shots that are intentionally shot completely blurred, whether to add mood or to create patterns unto itself. Typically this is achieved either by playing with the ISO (in the case of the top image here, I intentionally shot in a dark building at an ISO 100, knowing the image would blur, capturing the motion of the twirling flags). Usually in low-light settings like this I’d bump the ISO higher than normal, as I ended up doing later in the performance.

Long exposure in low light.

Blurred images can also be created with a lengthened shutter speed, as in the second photograph. With the camera held on a secure surface – a tripod is ideal, though I often have used a backpack or the hood of a car in a pinch – set the camera for a long exposure. This technique often works well in low light situations, creating “light play” as in this photograph. I focused on the young man on the left-hand side, and as a result it almost looks like he is rising from the watercolor blur.

It’s December, and we’re in the season of reduced daylight. Get creative, have some fun with it. I’m shooting several outdoor nighttime Christmas events for the newspaper this weekend, and after I get my cover shots I plan to shoot b-roll with these techniques. I’m hoping the lights will make for a fun night.

Tags: Techniques