October 31, 2012

Project 12, Month 11, Movement

Movement is on the composition project timeline for this month.  This includes moving the subject or the photographer as well as composing pictures of moving subjects.

Things to Consider:
  • Fast shutter speeds freeze action  (You can consider any shutter speed over 1/250 seconds as fast)
  • Slow shutter speeds create blur and create a sense of motion (You can consider any shutter speed under 1/60 seconds as slow - and you'll need a tripod or other stabilization to avoid "camera shake")
  • Learn to balance shutter speed, aperture, and ISO for proper exposure.
  • A sense of movement can be created through proper composition. For example,
    • Lines
    • Subject placement
    • Shapes (for example, S-curve)
  • When shooting moving subjects, compose the scene so they face the center of the frame. 
    • Leave more space in front of the subject than behind them
    • Give them room to move.  Don't have them bumping their noses on the edge of the frame
    • Remember to break this rule when appropriate.  You may want to create a sense of where they have been or (what they are running from!) by leaving more space behind than in front. 
  • Don't hesitate to move the subject when possible to get the best picture.  This is done to remove distracting elements, to add interesting elements, and/or to improve lighting.
  • Move you! Just taking one step in one direction may improve the composition.  When composing the perfect scene remember to move you - up, down, left, right, and all around - to find the best angle of view and to get the best lighting,
Suggested Readings and Photographic Examples:

  1. 10 Tips for Stunning Action Photography by Jim Harmer at Improve Photography
  2. Composition and Movement by Richard D. Zakia at Masteringphoto.com; short illustrated article
  3. Composition - Creating Movement and Exposure Basics - Shutter Speed at Stoke Dasoul; very short article
  4. Photographing Sports and Action at Geoff Lawrence.com; well illustrated, comprehensive article
  5. Introduction to Shutter Speed in Digital Photography by Darren Rouse at Digital Photography School; short, but fairly comprehensive introduction
  6. Leaving Space Behind Moving Subjects - Composition by Darren Rouse at Digital Photography School; short, well illustrated article
  7. Moving Into The Frame; The Dynamic Motion, Gesture, And Intent  by  Jim Zuckerman at Photographic; short illustrated article
  8. Moving Subject by Chandra Avinash at Nuvvo; short illustrated article on panning
  9. Taking a Picture of a Moving Subject with Your Digital Camera at Dummies.com; 10 short tips
  10. The Best Way To Learn Sports Photography by Simon Bray on Phototuts+; 10 tips; illustrated
YouTube Videos:
  1. Shutter Speed from Michael the Mentor; 3:14 minutes; simple and clear explanation
  2. DSLR Basics: Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO from PhotoExtremist; 9:58 minutes; good explanation of the exposure triangle - begins with Shutter Speed
  3. Photography Tutorial on Shutter Speed with Corey Reese from Corey Reese; 5:33 minutes; good examples for capturing the motion of a stream
  4. How to Photograph Action from about.com; 2:08; brief explanations for shooting action shots
  5. Digital Photography - Photographing Outdoor Sports from FroKnowsPhoto

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