Capturing motion well is one of the most difficult photographic challenges. It can be hard enough to get the lighting and composition just right in a posed shot. But try and do it while you’re chasing a toddler or a terrier and you’re in for a surprise.

The technical aspects of shooting motion are easy: a fast shutter speed (or the action or sports setting) will freeze motion, a slow one will introduce motion blur. Where you go from there makes the difference between a shot that merely documents and one that uses action to paint a scene or set a mood.

Up for some experimentation? We recommend you start with panning (as in golf, swing through the ball… er, click) and then try some nontraditional composition ideas. Our pals at DPS have a great post on each.

Mastering Panning
http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/mastering-panning-to-photograph-moving-subjects/

Nontraditional Motion Shot Composition
http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/leaving-space-behind-moving-subjects-composition/

Photo credit: Running Away by Ozyman

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