I was reading an article in the May issue of PC Photo the other day on using a motion blur filter in post processing. Obviously, not every image would lend itself to this treatment, but I had one that I thought might. It’s an image of 3 kids riding in a mini roller coaster. I used a shutter speed of 1/575, so I pretty much froze the moment. I wondered if the image would benefit from the zip of a little motion. After all, this thing was movin’ at the speed of sound, so why not? ;-) So I gave it a try with PSE2. Here’s what I did:

-duplicate layer
-on top layer: filter -> blur -> motion blur
-angle: –23 distance: 49 pixels (I selected an angle that was consistent with the angle in which the coaster was moving. I selected a pixel distance that conveyed speed, but retained the shape of the object)
-erased over areas where I didn't want any blurring, using a significantly reduced opacity on areas closest to full blurring and increasing opacity as I worked outward. This helped to avoid abrupt transitions from blurred to unblurred areas. I used a fairly large eraser for broad areas and a smaller one for areas where I needed to be more precise. I occasionally switched the bottom layer off to reveal what areas I had erased.

Not too hard. But then came the dilemma. How realistic do I want the effect to be? After all, if the coaster is in motion and blurred, wouldn’t the kids be blurred also? Well, yes, but then you couldn’t see their smiling faces. And if the coaster is moving, aren’t the rails standing still? Well, yes, but wouldn't that create a strange visual transition for the viewer? Maybe it’s cooler just to have stopped that rapid action in its tracks with my speedy shutter. Hmmmm… How about your opinion? What is your preference from the examples below? Or, dare I invite you to suggest a 5th alternative? Okay, have at it. Thanks!

#1: No motion blur

http://www.pbase.com/image/31350824.jpg

#2: Motion blur of lower coaster and rails; kids in focus

http://www.pbase.com/image/31350805.jpg

#3: Motion blur of full coaster and rails w/ kids in partial focus

http://www.pbase.com/image/31350787.jpg

#4: Motion blur of full coaster; rails in focus; kids in partial focus

http://www.pbase.com/image/31350831.jpg
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Dawn
FCAS Member #89

~With camera in hand, I see what I might otherwise overlook~

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