The following techniques are a bit advanced and may be better suited for the photographer ready to explore
beyond the basics. If you are looking to brush up on the basics, check out
more tips and techniques.
Otherwise, let's get started!
Take advantage of motion
A wide aperture brings the foreground into focus and leaves the background blurry.
With a slow shutter speed, stationary objects stay detailed, and objects in motion blur.
Most digital cameras are designed to prevent or reduce blur, but blurry effects can add interest to
traditional scenery or sports photographs of the kids.
Turn off your camera's flash and explore these creative ideas.
Blurry background
Many cameras have a Portrait shooting mode that automatically widens
the aperture—the opening in your camera's lens. This lets you focus on objects closer to you,
leaving everything in the distance blurry. With this shallow
depth of field,
you can leave cluttered backgrounds out of focus and bring more attention to your subject.
Foreground blur
Use a slower shutter speed to capture a stationary background (such as the family in front of a
monument) while blurring moving passers-by.
You can also experiment with the Sunset and
Night Portrait modes, or turn off your
camera's flash
and select a lower ISO number (like 50 or 100) to get a slower shutter speed.
Remember that slower shutter speeds require you to hold your camera steady. If possible, use a
tripod or position yourself against something solid.
This fun, abstract technique requires a lens with manual focus and a fairly slow shutter speed to give
you time to adjust focus during exposure. Try it at night or in low light conditions.
Slow your shutter speed (two to five seconds for evening shots). Once you press down the trigger,
immediately zoom in or out to give your photos a three-dimensional look.
Panning, or "tracking" as it's sometimes called, captures relatively sharp photos of objects moving past you.
It's the perfect way to add energy and motion to your photos. It also takes a little practice to get right.
Depress the shutter button while following your subject's travel. The resulting photo will be mostly blurred
except for detail on the object you tracked. Remember—it takes practice!
Bright conditions require a slow shutter speed and a very narrow aperture.
Perhaps the most dramatic use of blur is photographing moving water. For this technique, you'll need a camera
with manual controls. Set your camera to Manual so you can adjust both the
shutter speed and aperture independently. Slow your shutter speed below 200, and adjust your aperture to a
higher f-number (letting less of the bright light in).
Use a tripod or find a stationary object to set your camera on, such as a wall or rock.
Because the shutter speed has to be so slow, it's also a good idea to use your camera's timer.
The movement of your finger simply pressing the shutter button can cause unwanted blur.
Once you get more comfortable adjusting your camera's shutter speed, explore
night and low light photography.
Experimenting with different effects can be an exciting departure from the traditional snapshot and will add diversity
to your scrapbook or photo book creations. To learn more tips and techniques, see other articles on
taking better photos.
Take a free online class
in digital photography! Explore the many features of your digital camera, find tips for cropping and editing your
images, and discover new ideas for sharing your photos in creative ways.
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