Moving Still Images
Exploring the zoom burst technique to convey a sense of movement in static photographs.
I’m not a great fan of video, but I sometimes think it’s interesting when a photograph can convey the sensation of movement that it would otherwise conceal if, as is customary, the image came out perfectly “nailed” sharp.
Since I don’t like doing the same thing twice and I love experimenting, I often become absorbed in small tests that, during a concert, I have time to try over and over again.
Taking advantage of the excellent Jazz I Am festival — for which I published a photographic diary of each of the three days — and the fact that I was equipped with a digital camera and a powerful (and heavy) Sigma 70-200, I tried the technique known as zooming or zoom burst.
How it works
It consists of moving the zoom — either pulling back or zooming in — while taking the shot. Naturally, you need to work at a relatively slow shutter speed to capture that expansion or contraction effect within the frame.
It’s very much a trial-and-error technique: you need to shoot quite a few frames before you end up with something that really works. With a bit of luck, the centre of the image may remain relatively sharp while the edges record the motion of the zoom.
It’s not a technique to overuse, but it can be a good way to break the monotony of hyper-sharp images where everything is in perfect focus. Sometimes a little visual chaos also communicates better what was happening.
Some of the images are pure zooming; others were simply taken at slow shutter speeds to give a more syncopated sense of movement.
Give it a try.
