That "zoom effect"

[morts]

Someone requested one of these, so here you go.

It's quick, it's dirty and it's REALLY REALLY EASY.

1. Frame your shot how you want it to appear
2. Set exposure to something greater than 0.5s
3. Mash shutter butan
4. Twist the zoom ring to zoom in or out slightly
5. Observe
6. Repeat if unhappy
7. Be pleased with yourself
8. Drink a pint

Here's an example I shot a while back:

[Kn1nJa]

wow ... that is a really cool effect! I am definitely going to have to try this sometime! thanks!

[glcook]

Thanks! I was the one who asked about it. I tried it with Christmas decorations last year and wasn't happy with some of the shots. I've wondered how much to twist the lens either in or out to get the affect and keep the subject in focus. Since your shutter is open for more that .05s, a tripod is a must then. Ever tried it without a tripod?

Thanks again

[yolanda_b]

I have found that it is not really really easy. In fact it's really difficult. Now maybe I'm dealing with a cheap tripod or something but I cannot move the zoom lens smoothly enough to stop the camera from moving, thus resulting in a messy wiggly blur. what's more, getting the timing right so the zoom happens while the shutter is open, on top of the jiggling around that happens.
I keep trying but i have yet to produce anything even worth copying over to the computer, let alone keeping and sharing. It's frustrating. Being told it's really really easy makes it frustrating too.

[BenfromGermany]

Hey there,
I am quite new here and I liked that assignment. Am not well equiped yet, so I just used my D40 with the original 18-55 lens.
I set my exposure to 2/5s and did as told in the tutorial and am quite content with this resul t.
Nevertheless I'd be really happy about any critique, suggestions, or further help...

Thanks for posting this tutorial...any tutorials are helpful when you're a newcomer

[flavio]

Look: If you reverse the order of the list I works even better.

1) drink a pint (or two?)
2) get the zoom effect even without the camera.
3) be pleased with yourself
4) repeat with friends if unhappy

Thanks for the tip.

I tried to follow your instructions with my P&S but it woudn't zoom for me. Then I came out with "my" list. I have no pictures to show but I surely enjoyed myself.

So, is there any way (besides postprocessing) you can do this with my canon P&S (see below) ?

[Ciscley]

Originally Posted by flavio

I tried to follow your instructions with my P&S but it woudn't zoom for me... is there any way (besides postprocessing) you can do this with my canon P&S (see below) ?

I think all P&S cameras lock the zoom during the actual capture of the photo.

I pulled out my Canon G2 to try to find another way for you, but the only way I can figure to do it with a P&S is to physically move the camera forward or backwards during the long shutter and you can't do that with the camera on a tripod.

I guess you could put the camera on a cart or something with wheels and roll it backwards. That might lessen the undesired movement.

[morts]

You could add a zoom blur in Photoshop or add light trails yourself but that is a major pain in the ass.

And yes, the problem with P&S cameras is they lock zoom during exposure which is why an SLR is recommended...

[kencaleno]

lasso selection, then inverse,then apply radial zoom blur(in photoshop)

[Connie Doull]

Originally Posted by kencaleno

lasso selection, then inverse,then apply radial zoom blur(in photoshop)

Thank you so much.
Using your very simple yet effective instructions and playing around with the settings I am having some fun creating this type of effect on pictures taken with a P and S.