Zoom Blur (Autumn Leaves)

[wulf]

This picture has attracted a bit of attention in the Leaves assignment



Camera: Nikon D40
Exposure: 1/25s
Aperture: f/22 (small aperture to allow slower shutter speed)
Focal Length: 24mm (18-55mm kit lens - 24mm was either the start or end point)
ISO Speed: 200
Date: 18 October 2008

This is straight from the camera. You can often find zoom blur options within post-processing software but sometimes it is more satisifying to create the effect manually. How did I do it? The zoom effect was achieved by adjusting the focal length (zooming out) while the shutter was open. This makes a more dramatic difference to the edges of the image than the centre, hence the effect, which serves to focus in on the middle of the picture.

The essential requisite (aside from a camera with a zoom lens) is to have a slow enough shutter speed to give time to change the focal length. I stopped down to f/22 and found that 1/25s was enough time for a sharp twist; more controllable results might come if you have a neutral density filter or can wait until the light is dimmer (I was outside on a bright autumn morning and needed to seize the moment).

The camera was handheld. A tripod may also have helped (or been essential with a slower shutter speed) although it would have made positioning less flexible.

Have a go and show us what you come up with!

Wulf

ps. I made several attempts on a number of subjects and this was the one that worked best - have several goes and pick your favourite.

[barkerdoreen]

This is great...I am going to have to try it...

The question I have, I guess....How far do you end up turning the lens? Just a little or a bunch?

I am going to have to go out and experiment with this one...thanks for the great idea!

[dannyrich]

This is defo on the todo list for me.

[gh patriot]

Awesome photo. I keep on feeling like Im going to fall into the pile of leaves!

[pinkster88]

I like it, it reminds me of running through leaves when i was little

[BCP]

Nice shot, I've played with this technique some myself as well during a local forum's scavengers hunts.

[wulf]

Originally Posted by barkerdoreen

The question I have, I guess....How far do you end up turning the lens? Just a little or a bunch?

Try different things and see. I don't think it moved that far in 1/25s... but I was starting to turn the barrel as I pressed the button and kept going after the picture was taken so it is hard to measure. It is probably best to avoid slamming up against either end of the zoom range though.

Wulf

ps. I'm sure this technique has come up before... can anyone dig up a link to earlier threads?

[prince]

Those are some great shots. Thanks for sharing the technique.

[blarg]

I tried this a week ago when I was taking some night shots of a town we were staying at. In fact, I discovered it by mistake when I took a long exposure of cars going past and I adjusted the zoom forgetting the shutter was still open.

The first is of a casino across a lake.



The second is of my wife, just messing around, but it looks like she's about to explode (and she probably will if she discovers it's on here).



My shots are nothing special, just a quick play, but may investigate this further another time.

[candleman]

i tried this while back, the problem i find is keeping the camera still.
when i snap the zoom back it seems to move a bit more than i want.

i got some adeqite results.. considering i'd only had the camera a day and a half
i'll post some soon.