Project 52 - Week 7, Movement

As photographers we strive to get the sharpest image possible. However, blur in an image is sometimes a better narrator for the story.

Dogs like Hermes are hard to get a sharp image of simply because they are in constant motion. Even when he's sitting still Hermes' tail is whipping back and forth with a mind of it's own.  Hermes' tail is one of my favorite parts about him.  When he's standing and waiting for something, his tail is a constant sideways figure eight behind him.  Sometimes you can actually make out the infinity sign! (One of his nicknames is "maestro" as he looks like he's conducting with that tail. )

In any case, I decided to use this week's challenge, "using slower shutter speeds" to document Hermes' tail.

By using a slower shutter speed (along with adjustments in other areas being that it's never that simple ) I am able to have Hermes in focus but still show the movement of his tail. (Can you hear the music? )  ;O)

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Taking the slow shutter speed one step further I'm able to show even more movement in an image by panning with my camera.  If I can match my shutter speed to Hermes' speed AND follow him at that same speed with my camera, I'm able to keep him in focus and have everything else in the image show movement.  I find panning to be more artsy and more interesting than an image where the majority is in focus. It takes a lot of practice, but the results can be quite rewarding.

In this first image, Hermes is running to greet someone at the door (or it could be that a leaf blew by, who knows). It's obvious that he's running, but the blur makes the image a little more interesting than just one with him frantically trying to get past my husband.

In this second image I was able to match Hermes' speed a little better, keeping him in focus and letting everything else in the image illustrate motion. I know he looks like he's just passing by, but this is his "I-know-you-have-your-camera-and-there's-no-way-I'm-going-to-look-at-you" walk.  I love this dog.

To see more from other photographers in this project, start with Becky at Future Framed Photography, South Dakota.  You can click on the links at the end of each blog post until you've circled back around.  Enjoy your weekend!