How to Take a Motion Portrait

I tend to become obsessed with certain photography techniques. Each time a new one tickles my fancy, I practice it and practice it and practice it until it seems every photo I take involves that technique. Then I dream up new ways to use the technique.

Now I'm sure I'm not the first photographer to use motion to make a great portrait, but I did come up with the idea all on my own after a lengthy obsession with capturing motion as a blur.

The idea of a "motion portrait", as I like to call it, is that the subject of the portrait is in focus and in sharp contrast to the blurred motion around him or her. To do this, you need two things -- the subject to remain as still as possible during the shot and something to be moving around or near the subject. Obviously, this rules out long exposures, since very few humans can stand as still as a statue, and it also rules out quick-moving young children (at least when they're awake). Despite the limitations, it's possible to get some amazing portraits by incorporating movement into a picture.

You will need to use a tripod to get a good motion portrait.

Here's how to do it in just two easy steps:

(These instructions are for digital cameras, but can easily be adapted to film.)

1. Plan your shot.

What will create the motion? Possible ideas include falling leaves, rain or snow; water from a sprinkler, passing cars or people on a busy street; a flag waving in the wind; or just about anything that moves and is somewhat predictable will work.

A merry-go-round, for example, is a great place to take your first motion portraits.

2. Set up the shot.

Once you've decided what elements you want in the shot, get it set up. The subject of your portrait will need to be instructed to remain as still as possible once you release the shutter. You'll want your camera on a tripod and set up for the shot. Whatever props you're planning on using need to be in place, and you may need to enlist an assistant if you're contriving motion, such as falling leaves or spinning on a merry-go-round.

To continue with the merry-go-round example, set your camera up near the center of the merry-go-round and have your subject sit near the edge. Get your camera ready by slowing down the shutter speed a step or two from the settings you would normally use in the conditions you are shooting in. (WAIT! DON'T RUN AWAY! If I just scared you by talking about shutter speed, hang on, I'll tell you an easy way to achieve the portrait in just a minute.) Ask an assistant to get the merry-go-round spinning. The faster it spins, the better the motion blur and the smoother the ride for a better picture. Remind your portrait subject to sit as still as possible and begin snapping away. You should get a great portrait, with a beautiful blurred motion background.

Now, if you don't know a thing about shutter speed, but still want to take this picture, here's what to do. Turn the setting on your camera to "S". On most modern cameras, the S stands for Shutter Priority. What does "shutter priority" mean? It means if you tell the camera to slow down the shutter speed, the camera will automatically make the rest of the adjustments needed to get a good exposure. So how do you tell the camera to slow the shutter speed down? It's best to refer to your manual, but on most cameras, it's simply a matter of pushing the shutter release button (the button you push to take the picture) half-way down and then releasing it. A series of numbers should appear either on the screen or in the viewfinder. Simply turn the little horizontal dial (that looks like the one used to advance the film on disposable cameras) one click to the left. The numbers should change. (If you really want to learn what the numbers mean, check out the book Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson.) You're now ready to take your picture. Get someone to push the merry-go-round, or throw leaves, or turn on the sprinkler, or whatever, and snap away!