Know your stuff
When a subject is in motion, there is only one question: should I freeze it or track it?
Freezing motion The simpler option: fast shutter speeds and exact timing are paramount. But there are degrees of freezing action – from pin-sharp, absolute stillness to images in which the subject is frozen and in focus with some blurred movement in the background (such as the water in Peter’s image and this shot above). Panning This technique is higher grade and takes practise. Tracking (moving your camera) with your subject while using a slower shutter speed creates a motion blur in the background, conveying the real-life movement of your subject in a still image, while keeping the subject relatively sharp. Panning can create a stunning image from a relatively ordinary scene. It’s not possible to pan a subject moving directly towards or away from you, so use freeze motion here.
First look at your background.
• Freezing motion works best against clean or hazy backdrops. • Panning works well in lower-light situations, where you would otherwise have to push your ISO too high, or when you have a very busy or distracting background. • When you have extra elements in motion, such as water splashing or dust billowing up from your subject running, freezing would be the way to go. These elements add drama to your shot but won’t work with panning.
How much motion would you like to show?
For motion blur, set your shutter speed at 1/60 to start with, and slow it down depending on how much blurring you want.