All Challenges January 9, 2023 - January 15, 2023

Week 2: Blur The Action!

Extra Challenge: Panning
Photo Credit: Kayebee - Week 23: dancing (2020)

Right - let's get cracking with a bit of a hybrid challenge involving technical as well as creative skills. This week, we want photos that Blur The Action - or to put it another way, photos that tell a STRONGER story with motion blur.

While most photos are shot with the intent of being as sharp as possible, photos with intentional blurring of motion give an added sense of movement to the viewer. This could be a dancer on stage, a car passing by, or stars in the night sky.

The obvious method of blurring movement is to make your shutter speed slower.  Panning or even combining multiple exposures in one shot are other advanced methods you could try out if you wanted.

But paying attention to the technical aspect is just one facet of this challenge (of every challenge, really) - your photo should be telling a story or capturing a moment in time that works well and resonates with you and your viewer. The basics of composition, framing and creativity are something you should always keep in mind.

So start looking up at cloud movements, or look down at the tides. Maybe kids on a playground swing will grab your attention. Star trails, ICM (impressionist photography), sports photography, light painting, there are so many cool ideas and subjects for you to try out with a slow shutter. But do remember, we're not looking for out-of-focus shot or bokeh blur - we're looking for motion blur, which is the blur caused by the passage of time.

 

⏩ We'd like to remind you about the dangers of capturing long exposures of steel-wool burning.

Images like these carry a larger than normal risk and we'd like all Framers to avoid taking any unnecessary risks. ⏪

⚠️Please avoid taking images of burning steel-wool or any other less than safe activity. ⚠️

This week's sponsor

Revolutionize Your Photos with Luminar Neo

Unlock the power of AI to enhance your photos with Luminar Neo. Fast, easy editing tools and stunning results—transform your images like never before!

-

Tips and Tutorials

TIPS:

  • Patience: Getting a good motion blur photo is going to be an experiment in trial and error, with plenty of lessons in exasperation and patience. Make sure that you have more than enough time, empty camera cards and full batteries.
  • Stability: Capturing a long exposure means that you are going to have to use a tripod or place your camera on a sturdy surface.
  • Plan: Blurry photos often just look messy, so plan ahead carefully. Whatever you shoot, remember not to blur the story!
  • Tell A Story: Pay as much attention to your composition and the tone of the image as you would to the technical side.
  • Choose your lens wisely: Depending on your composition a wide angle prime might work just as well as a telephoto zoom. It's up to you and the composition you want to grab.

TUTS:

 

Looking for more inspiration? Check out our previous albums Slow Shutter (2021), and Blur the Action (2018). And as always, The Googles! Oh you sweet Googles.

Extra Challenge: Panning

Think the Main Challenge alone ain't worthy enough of your photog skillz? Sweet - try adding the EXTRA Challenge along with the Main Challenge to showcase your abilities.

This week, we'd like to see photos that Blur The Action taken while Panning the camera.

Do remember, the EC is neither mandatory nor does it enhance your odds of being picked for any 52F honors. It's just an EXTRA challenge for you, if that's something you want to take on in addition to the Main Challenge. We intentionally design the Extra Challenge to be difficult for most, so only take this on if you are looking for an EXTRA challenge. Get it? It's extra. ?

Photo Credit: Deidre Harger - Week 45: Street Photography (2022)

Remember, you are only submitting ONE photo per week. It is not necessary (and sometimes not possible) to work in this Extra Challenge into your submission. It’s extra challenge!

This challenge is not yet live!
This challenge has already passed
Submit Your Photo! Submit Your Photo!