Photography Prompt: Blur
Week of 2024-07-27 to 2024-08-02
Create and share photos inspired by this week's prompt, "Blur" on your Aminus3 website, Substack Notes, or linked in the comments on this post.
Substack community can tag
in your posts.Those of you posting on the Aminus3 community, add tag: #Am3-prompt-202431
Have you tried zoom blurs?
Want to experiment with a different kind of blur this week?
When I set out to create a deck of cards that teach photography techniques, I wanted to make them as universal as possible to be accessible to photographers with film cameras, phones, up to high-end SLR and mirrorless cameras.
Out of the deck of 50 cards, that is mostly the case, except for one challenging technique that seems to be the most difficult for new photographers, the Zoom Blur.
The idea is fairly simple, set your camera for a long exposure so that the shutter speed is a few seconds or longer. After clicking the shutter while the camera is capturing the image, zoom your lens from telephoto to wide or vice versa.
You can do it all in one smooth motion, or linger longer at different stages throughout the zoom range. Once you start to experiment, you will find a motion that works best for you, the given subject, and the desired effect.
The technique is a lot easier if your camera has a manual zoom lens, but I’ve been able to do it with my phone with a little patience and practice.
If you want to get a uniform tunnel effect, the use of a tripod is recommended, though you can still get some creative results shooting without one.
The criss cross of lights in this photo I took in Brussels, is a result of traffic lights and cars going by as I stood across the street and zoomed my lens from telephoto to wide angle over a 10 second exposure.
Regardless of what type of blur you are creating for the prompt this week, a long exposure is a good starting point.
The rest is up to you.
Last Week’s Prompt Photos for “Support”
The idea of support can take on diverse forms, many of which were visually depicted with imaginative zeal this past week.
Its been my experience that a successful photo is one that can convey layers of meaning within a single frame.
shared this multi-layered support themed image in which he writes:“Some may turn to Christ for support, others may turn to the moon for support… While the moon and the Cristo Rei gathered, a small bunch of photographers were counting on their tripods for support…”
Anna’s warm sunset photo of this bridge in La Rochelle, France, illustrates a strong visual theme of structural support. Looking deeper, there are other layers of support that we might consider, such as the lights which guide travelers on their way, the cars which get us from A to B, and the road which supports the cars. All of these elements are floating on top of water, the source of life for all creatures on our planet.
This pair of images by Giulio and MHelene depict the way our parents support us, not only physically, by holding us up, but also symbolically by supporting us through our childhood in so many ways.
Steven’s photo of a chain link fence was used to share the idea that,
“The interlocking nature of the links ensures that the chain as a whole remains strong and flexible, adapting to various stresses while maintaining its integrity. This principle of interconnected support exemplifies how individual elements, when combined, can achieve greater strength and resilience than they could alone.”
’s photo of the crew of the Tall Ship Alabama joining at port for a group hug after sailing together at sea, represents a similar concept with a different story and visual motif.
Once you start looking, you can find all types of support in your own images, and by extension, all around you. We live in a world with an abundance of support that sustains and lifts us up every day.
You can find many other ideas and images around support when you check out all the photos shared on Aminus3 for last week’s prompt.
A shout out to
(image) and (image) who posted their support photos on Substack this week as well.
Loved the "support" images and the meanings attached to them. I find the picture Lubitel 2 by Jason amazing. I'm going to check out the deck of Zoom Reach Zoom Out Photo Cards.
Love this "Support" images and I am so grateful that my photo of the Tall Ship Alabama crew was included. I have a few hundred images to download and some include some Zoom Blur that I was messing with a week or so ago, so I might jump in on the next prompt as well! Thanks so much Aminus3!