Move Your Camera to Create Motion Blur

Here is another quick post from the our Breaking Rules of Photography series of posts – this time on moving your camera during exposure.

One of the most common tips that are given in photography tutorials is to ‘secure your camera’.

Usually the method is by attaching your camera to a tripod or monopod to avoid camera shake – however purposeful camera shake can actually give an image a sense of movement, excitement and energy. It can also result in shots with a more ‘candid’ or ‘voyeuristic’ feel.

You might want to do this simply by selecting a shutter speed that is slightly slower than normal and moving your camera during the exposure. In fact with even just slightly slower shutter speed than normal just trying to handhold your camera while taking your shot will probably give it the effect that you’re looking for.

In a sense, panning is an example of this – as is camera tossing…. (not for the faint hearted).