Pixiq

How do I decide whether to opt for a fast or a slow shutter speed to convey motion? Most often, it is the subject and the way it is moving which determines my choice. If it has to be a grab shot then I will go with a fast shutter speed.

But, if the animal is moving parallel to the sensor then I may decide to pan the camera with a much slower shutter speed. If you pan before taking the shot and continue after releasing the shutter, most of the animal will be relatively sharp against a streaked background (it will also blur all vertical movement of legs as well). With a line of running animals, you have the chance to take several shots and even vary the technique.

Another way to convey movement is to go for a very slow shutter speed to deliberately depict a bird flapping its wings or a mammal shaking its head as blurred streaks of motion.

Outside lights attract night flying insects and their random flight paths appear as streaks when using a slow shutter speed. In the Pantanal I noticed bats were flying in to grab moths attracted to light. I selected a 1-second exposure but, as I was using film, I thought it prudent to bracket. Three weeks later I found half the exposures were fine but only a few showed a bat with outstretched wings – but that was good enough for me.

Often these shots are impossible to compose, but they are fun to try -- especially if you have plenty of time to experiment and refine your technique.  Why not give it a go? When taking an animal running along the ground I don't give it a tight frame, and I aim to leave more space in front than behind it (see dog at the top of this post).