ABSTRACT PORTRAITS

Mike Harris shows you how to use slow shutter speeds and multiple exposures to capture a series of motion-blur portraits

30 MINS

When you think about shooting portraits, long exposures and movement are probably the last things that come to mind. But in this tutorial we’re going to show you how you can use motion blur to create a series of incredible abstract portraits in the comfort of your own home.

While our photographs might look like they were shot using artificial lighting in a studio, they were actually captured in a spare bedroom. The key is setting up next to a large window or patio doors to allow indirect light to illuminate your subject. You can use a dedicated photography background like us, but a plain wall or sheet will provide a suitable backdrop too.

Portrait photographers usually prefer the flexibility of shooting handheld, but in this case a tripod is essential due to our use of slow shutter speeds, with the goal of capturing motion blur, not camera shake. Once your setup is ready, the real fun can begin.

This is a particularly enjoyable project because it invites creativity, and there’s really no right or wrong outcome.

We’ve provided a few tips to point you in the right direction, but once you get the hang of this technique you’ll get the most out of it when you head off-piste.

Standard long exposures will reap fantastic results, but once you’ve got the hang of this technique you can try broadening your creative possibilities by capturing a few in-camera multiple exposures. Combining both long and multiple exposures can afford you a little more control over the end product. Here’s how to get started…