1/10 sec. at f/ 5.6, ISO 1600
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The image above is an in-camera flash blur, except I wasn’t using my flash. Want to know how? I was co-leading Art Morris’s Southwest Florida IPT (Instructional Photo Tour) earlier this year along with Daniel Cadieux and Randy Stout both also moderators for BPN (BirdPhotographers.Net). We had arrived early in the morning and the light was low so we started the group off doing in-camera blurs. Randy and some others were using their flash. I had initially put my flash on so that I could create a sharp flash image super-imposed on top of the blurred one. I set rear curtain synch so that the blurred image would be behind the sharp image. I noticed everyone’s flash going off at the same time. I remembered last year while shooting in a group my flash had fizzled out on me but by timing my shots I was effectively able to feed off of their flash and I really liked the subtle effect so I gave it a try here. I turned off my flash and was able to achieve the look I wanted. I call this my Randy Stout assisted blur! To learn more about how to create pleasing blurs check out my eBokk “A Guide to Creating Pleasing Blurs” that I co-authored with Art Morris.
1/100 sec. at f/6.3, ISO 800
I liked the soft water colored background.
Another one from my series of Sanibel Water Blurs.
I added Topaz Adjust to make the colors pop a little and to add some depth.
1/5 sec. at f/29, ISO 100
Great image. I really like this. I’ve tried shooting birds in the sky using a slower shutter speed and more often then not it just comes out looking out of focus. Do you use a tripod or hand held?
Edith, Thanks. I was hand holding for this one but it depends sometimes when I use my 500mm lens I use a tripod. Try a flash blur
Denise, lovely blurs. All are very nice. I am really drawn to the water blur. Great stuff!!!
Denise, many thanks for sharing the secret.
Fantastic effect.
Andrew and Amal, Thank you both kindly