Lesson 7: Stopped Motion and Motion Blur

Chelsea London © 2023. Fujifilm X100F | 23.0 mm | ƒ/3.2 | 1/4000s | ISO 200

Stopped Motion

There will be instances where you want your subject to be completely frozen in time: sports, birding, and your running kids come to mind. So how do we get our moving subject completely still in an image? This is when you’ll want to use a fast shutter speed.

The concept of freezing motion through the use of fast shutter speeds is a pivotal aspect of photography. Fast shutter speeds, typically measured in fractions of a second such as 1/1000s or 1/500s, serve the purpose of capturing subjects with precision and clarity, eliminating the risk of motion blur.

This technique is particularly indispensable in sports photography, where athletes are in constant motion, and the aim is to freeze split-second actions like a sprinter mid-stride or a soccer player striking the ball. Similarly, in wildlife photography, where animals exhibit swift and unpredictable movements, employing fast shutter speeds is essential to preserve the details of the subject without any distortion caused by motion.

The ability to capture crisp details and freeze action is not limited to these genres alone; it extends to any scenario where the goal is to seize a fleeting moment, whether it be a dancer's leap, a child's spontaneous expression, or any other dynamic element within a scene. In these instances, the use of fast shutter speeds becomes a fundamental tool for photographers to ensure the sharpness and clarity of their images.

The important thing to remember when attempting to freeze motion is that the shutter will close quickly, so less light will have the time to hit the sensor/film. You will need to adjust your aperture and/or ISO accordingly. But, that’s the beauty of automatic modes. Putting your camera into Shutter Priority mode will allow you to set the quick shutter speed you need, and the camera will adjust the aperture and ISO for you - saving you time in adjusting everything manually.

Sean Makin © 2017. Nikon D610| 17.0 mm | ƒ/9.0 | 2s | ISO 100

Sean Makin © 2018. Nikon D610| 29.0 mm | ƒ/11.0 | 2.5s | ISO 100

Motion Blur

Motion blur, achieved through intentionally slow shutter speeds (sometimes exceeding seconds), serves as a versatile and creative tool in photography. This technique deliberately extends the duration of the exposure, capturing the movement of subjects within the frame. One common application is in the portrayal of the smooth flow of water, as exemplified in waterfall photography (see the above images).

You can leverage this technique to capture light trails produced by moving vehicles during nighttime shots. The elongated streaks of light create a sense of speed and energy, adding a dynamic element to urban scenes.

Intentional motion blur can be employed to convey a sense of motion in a subject, be it a dancer, athlete, or any moving object. This technique transcends the static nature of traditional photography, offering a visual narrative that encapsulates the essence of movement. Through the deliberate manipulation of shutter speeds, you can create static images which show movement.

Chelsea London © 2023. Fujifilm X100F | 23.0 mm | ƒ/9.0 | 1/8s | ISO 200 | Handheld in spinning tea cup

Reciprocal “Rule”

The reciprocal rule is a fundamental guideline in photography aimed at minimizing motion blur caused by camera shake, especially when shooting handheld. This rule provides a straightforward relationship between the focal length of the lens and the minimum recommended shutter speed.

Essentially, the reciprocal rule suggests that the shutter speed should be set at least as fast as the reciprocal of the focal length. For instance, if using a 50mm lens, the recommended shutter speed would be 1/50s or faster. The rationale behind this rule is to match the shutter speed to the focal length, preventing the introduction of noticeable blurriness caused by the natural movements of the photographer's hands during the exposure. Adhering to the reciprocal rule becomes increasingly crucial at longer focal lengths where minor shakes become more pronounced.

While advancements in image stabilization technology have provided alternatives, the reciprocal rule remains a valuable guideline for photographers, ensuring that the chosen shutter speed is well-matched to the focal length to achieve sharp, clear images when shooting without a tripod.

Just remember that rules like these should be approached more as guidelines, intended to give you a starting point. When working with shutter speed, it can be helpful to be aware of the reciprocal “rule,” but there are endless situations where it does not apply and you’d be better suited to forget it.