Monday, August 27, 2018

Slow Shutter Motion Photos


It's August, and that brings our county fair to town!

I thought the fair would be a perfect place to try out some
slow-shutter shots!

I talked about creating motion while panning with a slow shutter in this blog post.

But this time, I wanted to focus on a subject that was standing still
while the world swirls around them.


This technique requires it to be darker outside.

I shot these as the sun was just about down.
That way, the long shutter would not blow out the photos.


You can shoot in the daylight if you use a neutral density filter.
Learn more about those in this blog post.

I figured the county fair would be colorful with lots of beautiful lights.

First, I looked for subjects that were standing in one position.
At the fair, this was usually while they watched a  swirling ride.


I set my camera to manual and
put my aperture at f.9.
My ISO was 100
and my shutter speed was 1-second.

I had to adjust the settings as the light changed.
I usually changed the aperture,
but if it was exceptionally bright near a lighted area, I 
sped up the shutter.


Look for various movement
and a stationery subject.


I did this hand-held which was extremely difficult to hold steady for a full second!
Your subject will most likely move a tad, so they probably
won't be in perfect focus.

I had my best results with people glued to their phones!
They sat like statues!

My motto for them:  If you are on your phone...life is passing you by!



I made a ton of movement mistakes and only came away with these few winners.

Sooooooo,

I went back another evening with my friend Terri to have more 
control over the main subject.

Terri writes a wonderful lifestyle blog called Champagne and Grace.
I love to take photos for her
and use them for me to teach you!

This technique was so much easier with a willing model!

"Terri, stand there and don't MOVE!"


This is where I had my best results...with a model who knew to 
stand absolutely still!

You can try this with your kids, your family members or friends.


Stand your subject right in the middle of the action to capture lots of movement.


Or place your subject by a moving vehicle or in this case, a ride!


This really is a fun technique to try out and play with.

Think of dark locations like a busy city street,
or inside a bar...any place with lots of movement!

I can't wait to try this technique again!


Summer Portraits


It's August, and summer is beginning to fade.

One highlight of my summer is the amazing wildflowers that 
grew up to my shoulder along our nearby walking path!

I had a vision for that photo above, with Miss Ella's arms reaching wide
trying to capture summer's magic!


Look at the height of those flowers, and these are walking distance from my house!


Here's a little behind-the-scenes video
from this photo shoot with Ella:





I had fun with some purchased butterfly overlays.

I decided to make my own butterfly overlay using beautiful photos from Pixabay!

Since they were free to me...I want my butterflies overlay to be free to YOU!

Click here to download my free butterflies overlay!


I ended up doing three photo shoots among the lovely wildflowers!










I made my kind daughter pose for me before she flew off on her
summer adventure to Alaska! 

Thanks, Sweetie!  
I know you were supposed to be packing,
but I love photos of my baby!

Look how tall the flowers are!






Find the last of the summer flowers in your area and
add the whimsical butterflies overlay!

I hate to say goodbye to SUMMER!