2025-08-26 Slow Shutter

The idea of this challenge is to use slow shutter speeds to convey motion and evoke a feeling more so than a sharp realistic photograph. Try using the smallest aperture and lowest ISO your camera is capable of. If that is insufficient use an extra polarizing filter or if you have one, a neutral density filter. Here is an example from last year’s Spruce Meadows Field Trip

By panning the camera at slow shutter speed, this image reduces the importance of the background through blurring while keeping most of the horse and rider relatively sharp. The extra blurring of the horse’s legs gives this image a sense of motion. In my mind, this conveys more of an emotional appeal than a sharp “frozen” image.

One of pioneers of this genre is Ernst Haas. Click here for some of his classic motion studies.

Another inspirational source is the “Ernst Haas lecture” by Alex Kilbee in his master class series on the great photographers.

10 Responses to 2025-08-26 Slow Shutter

  1. Henri says:

    Modes of transportation. I went out on a sunny mid-day to the Dalhousie LRT station to try out my camera at the smallest aperture f/22, and slowest ISO, but had to add my ND 8 neutral density filter (3 stops) to get a reasonable motion blur at 0.5 sec shutter speed.

  2. Henri says:

    Just Speed. Crowchild Trail from Dalhousie bus station. Same setting as above

  3. della says:

    experiment with wind blown flower f38 1/15 105mm ISO 200

  4. Della 朱世芸 Ho says:

    the merry go round in Heritage park 1/30 with ND filter f4.2 48mm 200ISO

  5. Shannon says:

    Panning a van driving past Rocky Ridge C-Train Station – Canon Mark 6D Mark IV – ISO 100, 75mm, 1/60 sec., F11. Some background blurring with image of van somewhat clearer.

  6. Paul Fesko says:

    Evening Biker in Carbon Park

    1/25 sec @ f / 8.0, ISO 250
    Edited in Lightroom and Silver FX

  7. Frankie says:

    Thompson Falls near Golden, BC where my daughter and I spent two nights in a cabin in the woods last week. I set the camera on a rock.
    ISO 100, 35 mm, f/25, 1/15 s

  8. Frankie says:

    Tiny falls on the road to Thompson Falls. iPhone with camera set to Live photo. Then open in Photos, change Live to Long Exposure and voila! Mimics a slow shutter speed photo.

  9. Frankie says:

    A Taste of Italy in Bridgeland on Sunday. Lots of fun with dancing, singing, food, pasta eating and grape stomping competitions. I rested the camera on a railing.
    ISO 100, 110 mm, f/22, 1/15 s

  10. Ron says:

    Flowers with ICM ISO 100, f/40,1/3s

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