Week 6: Use motion blur to create a dynamic effect

At night fall, the iconic Maryland State House dome in Annapolis makes an interesting location to show a technique called motion blur. 

Do you see how the cars are speeding by me toward the state capitol? You do because of the long streaks of red tail lights. Without those streaks, the cars would look very static, almost parked.

Streaking red tail lights create motion blur at The Maryland State House in Annapolis.

Motion blur is a technique used to show your viewer that your subject is moving. 

Create motion blur my manipulating how slowly your shutter opens and closes. When you take a photo, anything that moves while the shutter is open looks like a blur or a smear. The elements that do not move remain sharply in focus. Use longer shutter speeds to create the blurring effect.

You're probably wondering "what's a good shutter speed to show motion blur?" It depends on a few things:

• The speed your subject is moving. A segway rider won't show the same blur as a NASCAR racecar at full speed. Naturally the faster your subject moves, the more dramatic the blur you can create.
• The direction your subject is moving. If your subject is moving across the frame, the motion will be different than if the subject is moving toward or away from you.
• The focal length of your lens. The more you zoom in, the more sensitive your camera will be to motion or movement.
• The amount of available light. It's easier to make dramatic motion blur shots in low light scenarios. Slow shutter speeds in the height of the day can lead to overexposed images.

To create dramatic motion blur images, try this:

• Use a lower ISO. An ISO rating between 100 to 200 will force longer shutter speeds.
• Shoot in shutter priority mode. Using the "S" mode on Nikons or "Tv" mode on Canons will allow you to directly control and slow down your camera shutter.
• Steady yourself. The slow shutter speed that shows motion can also potentially create camera shake. Steady yourself for the slower speeds.
• Use a tripod. For best results at very slow shutter speeds, you might need to use a tripod to keep the camera absolutely steady.

The Challenge

Create an image where you use motion blur to communicate that your subject is moving. It doesn't have to be a night shot, just any image where we clearly see motion or movement.

Share your images with us

Once you have a great hero photo, post it in the comments here or tag it #composition21 when you post it on Twitter of Flickr.

Join the Composition Challenge

Sign up to join the 21-Week Composition Challenge. Every week, I'll deliver a photo challenge by email for you to shoot and share. Learn more about it or sign up below.

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Here's a bit of trivia: The Maryland State House in Annapolis is topped by the largest wooden dome built without nails in the country. :-)

Week 5: Break the frame for intrigue

I was breezing by the World War II Memorial one rainy afternoon when I was drawn to the texture and rain drops on the base of this flag pole.

Like many flag poles near the National Monuments, this one carries the names of the five branches of military service -- Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

Capturing the entire base of the flag pole felt boring, so I used a technique called breaking the frame.

I didn't particularly care to show the names of all five Services; I wanted this photo to highlight the Army. Even so, there was no need to show the entire word "Army" for you to understand what it said.

Breaking the frame means you get so close to your subject that part of it extends beyond the edge of your image.

This technique is often used when a scene is very busy, and you need to simplify the number of objects in the photo.

For instance, when you travel these days, it seems most destinations are swarming with tourists, and it is tough to get a shot that doesn't include clusters of people you don't know or care to remember.

Breaking the frame allows you to do three things:

• Cut the distracting clutter around your subject.
• Make your viewers feel so close, there is an intimate experience.
• Create a sense of intrigue as your viewers fill in the blanks with the missing part of the image.

I clipped parts of the first and last letters of the word "Army," but I'm sure you immediately knew what it said. When I included the entire word, it didn't have the same artistic effect.

The Challenge

Photograph a subject where you break the frame. Crop into the subject enough that we still recognize it, yet have to fill in some of the blanks mentally. See how it helps you simplify the scene and add an artistic element.

Share your images with us

Once you have a great hero photo, post it in the comments here or tag it #composition21 when you post it on Twitter of Flickr.

Join the Composition Challenge

Sign up to join the 21-Week Composition Challenge. Every week, I'll deliver a photo challenge by email for you to shoot and share. Learn more about it or sign up below.

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Recording: Composition Challenge feedback and discussion

We used our May 2012 Free Photo Webinar to hold a feedback and discussion session on our Composition Challenge.

Almost four weeks ago, many of us took a challenge to work on composition principles together. 

The 21-Week Composition Challenge is a fun approach to improving one of the fundamentals of photography, composition. Each week, I provide a free tutorial on a composition technique and a challenge for you to practice. We have had very enthusiastic participation, which is really fun to see. 

During the webinar, I review lessons from the first three weeks and provide feedback on some of your submissions.

You can join the Composition Challenge at any time. Simply enter your email below and start receiving updates. Feel free to work on past challenges or join us where we are now.

Thanks for the enthusiastic participation so far. I'm looking forward to making great progress with our composition techniques.

Learn more about the 21-Week Compositition Challenge

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Week 4: Use color relationships creatively for maximum impact

On a rainy afternoon at the Albert Einstein Memorial, my students were practicing travel photography tips, but I was distracted by something else -- color.

Pink and green are complementary colors found in nature.

Right behind us, a bed of pink flowers contrasted nicely with the grass below. I grabbed this shot to illustrate the impact of complementary colors.

Color is a compositional element that can be used to direct the eye, evoke an emotion or make a statement. It can be a powerful tool if you understand how to use it effectively.

The color circle helps us understand color relationships.You can't discuss the impact of color without taking a spin around the color circle, also known as the color wheel. The color circle gives us a good idea of color relationships. Most color circles are made of three primary colors - red, yellow and blue; and three secondary colors, green, orange, and violet. The circle also includes another level where primary and secondary are mixed, creating three tertiary colors. 

Colors opposite each other on the wheel are known as complementary colors and adjacent colors create a harmony of similar colors. 

What does this mean for photographers? If you understand color relationships, you can make photos that use colors creatively for maximum impact.

Complementary colors

You can find complementary colors on across from each other on the color circle. For instance, pink and green are almost polar opposites and create a pleasing contrast in my photo. Blues and yellows are also opposites that appear in nature. Have you ever seen a photo of a sunflower framed by a deep blue sky? Those are complementary colors at work. 

Similar colors

Colors next to each other on the wheel form a harmony of similarities. While that might not be as dramatic as contrasts on opposite sides of the wheel, it can be just as pleasing. Greens and blues are neighbors on the color wheel, as they are often found in nature with blue skies and green foliage. What we know as earth tones -- reds, browns, and yellows are also examples of similar colors that are grouped in the color wheel.

The combination of earth tones work as a harmony of similar colors.

Shades of the same color

Another approach uses shades of the same color for pleasing effect. We're all familiar with the cliche'd shades of gray, but often images of old decayed buildings showcase shades of rust or brown. Desert scenes often layer shades of white or cream.

Group shades of the same color for effect.

In every one of those scenarios, color is used as a dominant characteristic of the photo. It is as important as a strong focal point or selective focus. Color can make the photo, and paired with the right secondary color, they both can make your picture shine.

Whether you use colors to embellish or amplify, be deliberate about understanding their potential effect. 

The Challenge

Take a photo where color is a dominant compositional element. Use either complementary colors, similar colors, or shades of the same color to create your image.

Share your images with us

Once you have a great hero photo, post it in the comments here or tag it #composition21 when you post it on Twitter of Flickr.

Join the Composition Challenge

Sign up to join the 21-Week Composition Challenge. Every week, I'll deliver a photo challenge by email for you to shoot and share. Learn more about it or sign up below.

Sign me up

Email:

Free Photo Webinars - Composition Challenge discussion and feedback

Almost four weeks ago, many of us took a challenge to work on composition principles together. 

The 21-Week Composition Challenge is a fun approach to improving one of the fundamentals of photography, composition. Each week, I provide free tutorials on a composition technique and a challenge for you to practice. We have had very enthusiastic participation, which is really fun to see. 

On Tuesday, we will be four weeks into the challenge, and this webinar will be used to discuss principles covered during the first three weeks. In addition, I will be providing more detailed feedback on several submissions. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions or begin a discussion about any of the completed weekly challenges.

Learn more about the 21-Week Composition Challenge

Register for the webinar