Motion Blur

vaenka · July 2014

This is one of many images where there is a significant motion blur/handshake. The subjects were moving fast but with flash and 1/80 shutter speed i was surprised that i wasn't able to get sharp images. Any advise on where i could have gone wrong .

1/80 , f/3.5 24mm and on camera flash

Trev · July 2014

If you were pretty much at correct ambient exposure, then at 1/80th motion blur will still occur regardless if they are moving reasonably quickly, especially towards you, since the flash would not be the dominant light source but a combination of both.

Have you seen Neil's 'will flash freeze the action at slow shutter speeds?' in Tangents?

http://neilvn.com/tangents/flash-freezes-action-at-slow-shutter-speeds/

travelintrevor · July 2014

ISO was?

Trev · July 2014

Info:

Actually I like this image, even if slight blurring as it adds to the atmosphere and mood and I think in BW it's very nice.

I don't think it will be ever used blown up, and in an album probably around 5x4 or so max and even when you view it embedded in this thread (around 6x8) the faces look quite sharp, only the hand has 'movement' and it's not until you open in PS to view bigger is the face slightly blurred.

Neil vN · July 2014

You will get motion blur at 1/80th. Pretty much guaranteed. It's not a fast shutter speed.

Here's more about that:
http://neilvn.com/tangents/faster-shutter-speeds-for-sharper-photos/

travelintrevor · July 2014

Well...ISO 3200 is 4 clicks (from the 1250 used) and that will give you 1/200 shutter speed with the added benefit that you are not working your flash as hard. I agree with Trev that the photo looks fine as is but increasing the shutter more since you had plenty ISO leeway would have given you a crisp photo.

Rudy

vaenka · July 2014

Thanks a lot of the feedback everyone. I took note of my shutter speed and managed this shot at last bite's event. Further more my 24-70/2.8 had issues so i also got a replacement loan set from NPS.

FotoNuntaBrasov · July 2014

If you have a lens with IS you could try 1/45th, in the background you will find a nice creamy motion.

Nikonguy · July 2014

An IS lens would not have made any difference in this case. An IS lens can only help with camera movement, but the issue here (photo at top of thread) is subject movement. Slower shutter speeds would just bring in more subject movement, resulting in more blur of people in the photo. It can creatively work in some photos, but I don't think this is an example of one. My opinion only, though.

Skipperlange · July 2014

Had Vaenka's flash been the dominant or sole light source, would the photo have been sharper, even with shutter speed at 80? In other words, would the flash then have stopped the action?

travelintrevor · July 2014

Yes and no. Bounce flash then probably not but pointed directly at them, most likely unless they were moving very fast.

qrickman · July 2014

If the flash was the sole light source then the image would have been sharp with no motion blur. But if the flash is the sole light source then you can set the shutter to maximum sync speed without affecting the exposure.

Neil vN · July 2014

Skipperlange said: Had Vaenka's flash been the dominant or sole light source, would the photo have been sharper, even with shutter speed at 80? In other words, would the flash then have stopped the action?

In this scenario, yes.
http://neilvn.com/tangents/flash-freezes-action-at-slow-shutter-speeds/

[edited to correct my comment]

qrickman · July 2014

Neil:

If the flash was the sole source of light the motion blur wouldn’t be eliminated?

Neil vN · July 2014

Sorry, you're right. I misread that comment.
I've now corrected my post, as to avoid confusion for anyone who linearly follows this thread.]

Zenon · July 2014

1/80 is pretty slow to stop motion blur without a flash. If flash is the primary light source then yes it will freeze the subject - as long as it within it's range of it's power. You have to learn about fall off - the inverse square law. I have posted this before. I pre focused and then swept the camera as I took the shot. As you can see the t-shirt which was about 6 feet away is frozen and the xmas tree which is about 12 feet away is blurred.

If you want to shoot without flash you need to up your ISO. You should have no issue shooting at ISO 6400 and tuning in PP.

Motion Blur

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