Tip of the Week: Create Stunning Abstract Images With Purposeful Camera Movement
- Set your camera to manual mode or shutter priority mode so you have control over the shutter speed.
- Dial in a shutter speed of 1-2 seconds. Adjust as necessary to account for the presence of too much light.
- For smooth, linear lines, either hold your camera or mount it on a tripod and pan across the scene in one smooth motion. For a result that’s more frenetic and jittery, handhold the camera and experiment with how much shake you should incorporate for the desired effect.
- Look for a subject that has bright colors, interesting shapes, or patterns to boost the drama in the photo.
- Whether you pan or shake the camera, begin doing so before you depress the shutter so that the image is recorded during movement, not before.
We say all the time in our tutorials the need to take precautions so that your camera doesn’t move or shake when taking images. But, in this week’s Tip of the Week, we turn that notion on its head and offer up some fun ways you can use camera movement to your advantage.
Let’s explore how purposeful camera movements can help you create beautiful abstract images!
Camera Settings
Since you need to have control over shutter speed, set your camera to either manual mode or shutter priority mode. Ideally, you’ll want a shutter speed in the 1-2 second range. Of course, this can be hard to do if you’re shooting during the daytime, so having an ND grad filter to reduce the amount of light is essential.
Take a few test shots. If there’s still too much light and the image is overexposed, increase the shutter speed, trying to keep it at 1/15 seconds or below, or else you risk not getting the blurred effect that you want.
Supercharge your photography skills. 600+ Premium lessons waiting for you HERE.
Panning or Shaking the Camera
If your goal is a more linear representation of a scene like in the image above, a firm grip on the bottom of the camera under the lens with your elbows tucked in tight will give you a solid foundation for a smooth panning motion. Or, if you aren’t comfortable panning quickly while handholding the camera, you can use a tripod or a monopod, so long as you have a good pan head that won’t get in the way of dragging the camera at an appropriate speed.
If your goal is to give your camera a little shake, as was done in the image above, dial in the same camera settings, but avoid tripods or monopods and handhold your camera. Since this method is a little more based on trial and error, be sure to experiment with the frequency and intensity of camera shake to see how it impacts the final image.
Selecting a Subject
The first priority when selecting a subject is vibrant colors. Reds, oranges, and yellows, in particular, facilitate the development of a beautiful image, although bright purples, blues, and greens can also really pop.
Look for features that will help you create lines, curves, forms, or patterns in the image as well. Any of these elements will help separate the colors and will also give the image greater visual interest that engages viewers more deeply.
Want more premium photography lessons? Click HERE.
Final Thoughts
Now it’s just a matter of putting these elements together to create an abstract image using camera movement. Find an appropriate subject, set your camera to manual mode or shutter priority mode, and set your shutter speed to 1-2 seconds. Then, start panning or shaking the camera before you press the shutter so you’re sure to capture the scene as the camera is moving, not before. It’s as simple as that!