Exploring Frozen Motion and Motion Blur

Hello! And welcome back to the Mickelson Photography Blog. Today, we will be looking at frozen motion and motion blur.

Frozen Motion

Here we have a record spinning on a turntable. By focusing on the rod in the center, the motion of the vinyl record is slowed (almost frozen). The grooves don’t appear to be moving, and it appears as if time itself has decided to stand completely still.

Here’s another example of frozen motion. This image was created by filling up an empty milk jug only part of the ways up, and then sloshing the jug’s contents into the wall of a shower. Captured at just the right time, the camera was able to produce an effect that makes the water appear frozen as it splashes out of the plastic milk jug.

Motion Blur

The differences between frozen motion and motion blur can be striking. It’s obvious that this pickup truck is moving down the highway. But when the camera focuses on another object (whether it be in motion or not in motion) such as the metal pole on the roadside, the shape of the larger object can be easily blurred.

Now notice this distinctly different example of motion blur. Here, the boy in the red shirt is getting ready to do a bike trick. He is more in focus than the sidewalk and the vehicles behind the fence, which are not so focused up. But, this indeed still counts as motion blur.

Thanks for checking out this entry of the Mickelson Photography Blog!