HOT Texas Loc: From the Heart of Texas

I got into Pleasing Blurs shooting blurred pictures for use of overlays and background, One day I slowed down a bit shooting some flowers that was still out of focus but I thought is was kind of neat looking, So I started shooting more and more, some may like it and some don't, I happen to like it and find it rewarding and very fun.
I also find it addictive. If you would like to learn more you can watch this Video that B&H put out here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HiZ6zSStBo&t=3078s

The video is somewhat long and to make a short list that I have learned,

1. A tripod really helps, and lock down the horizontal control to where you only have up and down movement, having said that a tripod is not a must and I just hand hold a lot of times, my tripod is not the best for this because it is a ball head and wonders around anyway.

2. Shutter speed, I start around 1/25 sec in manual mode and work from there, normally ISO 100 and use your aperture to adjust your exposure, some where around f/16 is a good start.

3. Focus, even though is called Pleasing Blurs, you do want to get really good focus on your subject. I find manual focus works really well.

4. Lens, just about any lens will work, this week I shot some with a 55mm, I find my 90mm macro works best but have used up to a 400mm

5. Sweep, you can sweep up or down to make it blur, back and forth what ever you want to do, I find it easier to sweep upward with a heavy big lens, you don't want a heavy lens to bang your tripod on the way down, you may sweep fast, slow, or even just the flick of your wrist.

6. Shoot many pictures of your subject, although it might look good in the camera, it might not be the case when you get them downloaded, once you download them you will find one that will really stand out from the rest and say that's it, and it will put a smile on your face. It's not unusual for me to shoot 10 or 12 shots per subject, some times it's all about timing, to hit that shutter button just at the right time while you sweep.

Editing was another thing and was just as fun to me, Mostly using On1 Raw and Topaz plugin it is much fun to see what one can come up with.

Here are three sample of some of the ones I created, I hope you enjoy and give it a try sometime.

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Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Johnny, thank you so much for taking the time to provide these excellent tips! Several of us in FYC have dabbled with motion blur or zoom blur, and I'm encouraged by your success!

I'm very grateful for your post, and I love how your enthusiasm and joy come through. That's what photography is all about in my opinion.

Folks can see more of your eye-catching work with blur here.

Thanks again!

CSand Loc: Fayetteville, Georgia

Johnny, I simply love all of these plus the ones Linda referred us to. Wonderful work.

HOT Texas Loc: From the Heart of Texas

Your welcome Linda, Thank you!!!

HOT Texas Loc: From the Heart of Texas

Thank you much!!!!

Pierre H.J. Dumais Loc: Mississippi Mills, Ont.

I like these -- so creative!
Pierre

HOT Texas Loc: From the Heart of Texas

Thank you Pierre, Appreciate it!!!!

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I find it difficult to come up with blurred shots that work on their own. It can be done; but I don't have much success with it. Your examples are worthy of note because it illustrates how the technique can be used effectively. Additionally, these shots can serve as backgrounds in many instances. Well done.
Erich

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Linda has pointed me in the direction of your post Johnny, knowing I'm interested in ICM and despite the fact I currently am subjected to two weeks of the worst internet connection imaginable - otherwise known as 'on holiday in Devon', but I am grateful to her if only because between you, you are keeping my mind active!
I see that these are attractive, and agree the idea behind them does become somewhat addictive, but for me they need taking to the next stage and converting into paintings. No.1 is perhaps not ideal for that treatment, but 2 could be and 3 definately is. I can't provide the link, due to technical difficulties previously outlined, but if you have time to look at my post 'ICM to Painting', you'll get the gist of of my thoughts on using these techniques - and pick-up on the fact that you're likely to meet a few cynics en route! Good to see another 'camera waver' on FYC, I look forward to more from you.

HOT Texas Loc: From the Heart of Texas

Thanks much Erich, Don't make it hard, because it's not.

HOT Texas Loc: From the Heart of Texas

Thank you much, I did have a look, very interesting with the comments and a well none picture!!!

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

Johnny,
I find this kind of work fascinating. Do you pre-visualize the end product and then plan you camera movements, f stop etc. Or is it more a matter of finding a colourful subject and experimenting until you get a pleasing result? You might find it interesting to look at some of the work of a Canadian photographer who has been doing this with great success for many years - Freeman Patterson.
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=AwrSbnETC0pZUfMAvxxXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEzOWU0ZnFhBGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDVUkwMkM0XzEEc2VjA3Nj?p=freeman+patterson+photographer&fr=aaplw

HOT Texas Loc: From the Heart of Texas

Don, I try to Pre-visualize, but mostly just pick a subject and start working it, I work my camera different ways, I use the f stop to get the exposure right, sometimes I just don't get any I like and then there will be one that really stands out, you never know till you download them, you will not be able to see it in the camera most of the time.

Thanks for the link, I enjoyed look at he's work and enjoyed looking at your filckr pictures also!!!!

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Beautifully done, Johnny!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thanks for the link, Don. Mesmerizing work!