Photography Tips and Tricks

If you are pretty good at taking low light photographs then you can learn how to do some really cool motion blur effects with your digital camera.

Background Blur

You’ve probably seen photos of race cars where the background is blurred and the car is in focus. This is done with a photography technique called panning.

To achieve this look, set your shutter speed to 1/30. You may need to test this speed and adjust to a slower speed as needed. Stand by the path were your subject will be passing by. As the subject comes near, focus on it and press the shutter button. If you have shutter delay, make sure to press the shutter button before you want the picture to be taken.

 Follow the object with your camera. This can be done easily by bracing your camera with your hands and swiveling your waist instead of turning the camera. Mounting your camera on a monopod is another good option for easy, shake-free swiveling.

Action Blur

Another technique you can do in low light is to show motion in only a very select area of the photo. This can be a bit tricky, but the results are fantastic if you get it right.

Set your digital camera to high ISO and turn off the flash. Have your subject be still except for an arm or a leg. Halfway depress the shutter button to focus on your subject, then fully depress the shutter button. Hold your camera totally still while the picture is taken or mount it to a tripod. Any camera shake can ruin your results.

As you can see from the example photo, the subject is in focus except for the hand and balloon, which was moving when the picture was taken. This many take some practice to master since most human subjects rarely sit still. The best subjects to practice on are people that are sitting.

These two techniques will add some motion and variety to your photos. So, next time you shoot some photos, remember, blur can be a good thing!

If you aspire to be a runway fashion photographer or if you simply need to photograph a runway show for a friend, there are some simple techniques you can use to make your photos fantastic.

Position Yourself

Your position can mean the difference between a great photo or no photo at all. The best position is at the end of the catwalk. This way, you can get photos of the models as they walk all the way down to the end. Getting this plum position may require you to get to the show early or to push others out of the way.

If you simply can’t get a spot at the runway’s end, position yourself up higher than the crowd. You can do this by standing on a chair at the back of the room. Use your zoom to get close shots and make sure to keep your camera steady.

Adjust for Color

Many fashion shows incorporate colored lighting. For accurate photos of the clothing colors you will need to compensate for the lighting by adjusting the white balance on your camera or by adding filters to your lens.

The Money Shot

The best shots are captured at the right moments. As a model stomps down the runway, she will display the garment she is wearing. This is when the money shots are made. Here are some basic model movements you should look for:

• Taking off a jacket or wrap and throwing it over the shoulder
• The pose and turn at the end of the catwalk
• Unzipping a garment
• Putting hands in pockets
• Flipping the end of a train or skirt

Setting your camera to photo burst mode will help you capture the most movements so that you have a wider selection of photos to choose from for your project.

The best fashion runway photography tip is to stay alert. You never know when a great shot is about to happen.