Photography Thailand Forum

[Marc Schultz]

I am not normally a big fan of blurry pictures, but sometimes blur can be interesting if it emphasizes movement in the right way. The attached photo shows a net fisherman throwing the net, but shot before he actually released it. I kind of liked this image, despite the heavy blur effect. I would be interested to hear other people's thoughts on it and if you feel the blur works in this photo. Thank you.

[Chris Savery]

I think the blurr of the net works perfectly. It seems to me that blur can work particularly well when there is soemthing in the shot that is sharp to work as an anchor. In this shot you have that. The failing in the shot IMO is that you can't see his face. I understand why and it's not something you could have changed except perhaps to go stand in the water with your camera to be on the other side and then you may not have had good light nor the same opportunity for catching the motion and form of the torso. And of course asking him to turn his head would destroy it as well so one takes what one can get in moments like this. It's has a nice feel nonetheless.

Since we're talking about motion I though I'd post one as well. But I don't want to detract from your thread here so I'll post it in a new thread.

Chris :)

[Marc Schultz]

Thank you for your good comments Chris.

The one you posted looks more like a panned image. This is when you follow the subject with your camera using a slow shutter speed as the subject is moving. Done successfully, and the subject should be in focus and the background blurred with motion blur. Normally it takes many many shots to get a good one. It is a lot of fun though and I did some shots like this before with sum-lors.

[Chris Savery]

Thanks Marc. Yes, was panning but didn't get a good fix on the subject and only had one chance. Too bad
Chris :)

[anna]

Marc, if everything is sharp, including the net, the picture won't be as interesting the way it is now.  Anna

[Marc Schultz]

That is a good point Anna, thank you. It is the movement that makes the picture not so static I guess and thus the blurring is needed to show that.

[David Salmanowitz]

Marc--works perfectly. I am also often not a big fan of blurring as sometimes it is overkill, but you nailed this one. Gives a good feel of what the fisherman was doing.