Action portrait - Motion Blur

[Ginger Pixie]

I took this during a video shoot yesterday and wondered what people made of it. Does the contrast between the cymbal and the drummer work?

I couldn't use any flash (they were filming at the time) so just bumped the ISO up and shot at f1.8.

Exif data
Camera Canon EOS 450D
Exposure 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture f/1.8
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 800
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program Manual

[Weird Girl]

The cymbal is nice and clear- is that what you wanted? I think I would rather see the drummers face in focus but that's just me...

[Ginger Pixie]

Originally Posted by Weird Girl

The cymbal is nice and clear- is that what you wanted? I think I would rather see the drummers face in focus but that's just me...

Yes, I was playing around with focal points and motion blur...

This was the more user friendly version:

[ChristinaW]

My first initial thought was the same as Weird Girl's, but then reading on I see what effect you're going for. I think the only reason it doesn't quite work (but is really close!) is because his right shoulder is too in focus. If it were as blurred as the rest of him, it would make it more obvious that the focus is the cymbal.

[Ginger Pixie]

Originally Posted by ChristinaW

My first initial thought was the same as Weird Girl's, but then reading on I see what effect you're going for. I think the only reason it doesn't quite work (but is really close!) is because his right shoulder is too in focus. If it were as blurred as the rest of him, it would make it more obvious that the focus is the cymbal.

Thanks Christina, that makes sense.