Motion Blur Is Awesome –Slow Shutter Street Photography

Summary

In this video, the photographer experiments with intentional motion blur in street photography using long shutter speeds. Armed with a Sony A7 Mark I and a 40mm lens, they explore different locations, including metro stations and outdoor scenes, capturing the dynamic movement of people and vehicles. The photographer shares their challenges in achieving controlled motion blur, reflecting on the complexity of capturing motion compared to sharp images. They offer tips on using long exposure techniques and camera stabilization while inviting viewers to share their own experiences with intentional motion blur.

Takeaways

• 😀 Experimenting with long shutter speed and intentional motion blur in street photography is both fun and challenging.
• 📸 The Sony A7 Mark I with a 40mm f2.5 lens was used for the photo walk to capture motion blur.
• 💡 Creating controlled motion blur in street photography is difficult, especially in non-peak hours when there are fewer people.
• 🌆 The key to successful intentional motion blur is a balance between sharpness and blur, allowing the subject's movement to be captured while maintaining clarity.
• ⚡ Using a longer shutter speed can help create motion blur in moving subjects, such as people walking or vehicles passing by.
• 👀 Predicting the outcome of intentional motion blur is tough, and it often requires an open mind and experimentation.
• 🔲 Converting images to black and white can help emphasize the motion blur and simplify compositions.
• 🚶‍♂️ It's important to experiment with shutter speeds and try various techniques, including walking while shooting, to achieve the desired effect.
• 📅 Capturing the perfect shot can be easier during rush hour when there are more people, increasing the chances of capturing desired motion blur.
• 🤔 One key lesson learned was that intentional motion blur can look interesting and engaging, even though it may seem too blurry at first.
• 💪 The importance of turning off image stabilization (IBIS) when trying to create motion blur by camera shake was emphasized for better control.

Q & A

What camera and lens did the photographer use during the photo walk?

The photographer used the Sony A7 Mark I camera with a Sony 40mm f/2.5 lens.

What was the main focus of the photographer's experimentation during the walk?

The photographer was experimenting with long shutter speed to create intentional motion blur in street photography.

Why does the photographer describe certain shots as ‘cliché’?

The photographer considers some shots 'cliché' because they are typical or predictable, such as the symmetrical people shot, but still finds them visually interesting.

What challenges did the photographer face while attempting to capture motion blur?

The photographer struggled with predicting the results of motion blur and found it hard to create the controlled motion blur they envisioned, especially due to timing and the lack of enough people in some frames.

What did the photographer find difficult about street photography with motion blur?

It was hard to pre-visualize and predict the outcome, as creating controlled motion blur is challenging compared to capturing sharp images.

Why did the photographer opt for black and white in some of their images?

The photographer chose black and white to simplify the image composition and focus on the movement, especially when there were too few people or the colors didn't stand out.

What were some key factors the photographer considered when capturing motion blur?

The photographer focused on factors like shutter speed, framing, lighting contrast, and the balance between motion blur and sharpness to ensure the subject was still identifiable.

What did the photographer learn about stabilization settings on their camera?

The photographer learned that turning off in-body image stabilization (IBIS) is a good idea when trying to create motion blur, as stabilization fights against the desired blur effect.

What did the photographer mean by the statement 'taking a sharp picture is super easy in comparison'?

The photographer emphasizes that capturing a sharp picture is straightforward because it only requires a fast shutter speed and a stable setup, while creating intentional motion blur is more complex and less predictable.

How did the photographer feel about their results towards the end of the photo walk?

Towards the end of the walk, the photographer started to get the hang of capturing motion blur and was more satisfied with their results, particularly with some pictures that met their vision.