What do photographers mean when they speak of movement in a photo?

There are 3 essential types of movement you should consider when pressing the shutter. What type of movement are your eyes most drawn to naturally? Do you want to incorporate other kinds of movement into your images more often? Think of this short list as a challenge you can take on in 2019!

1. Flow

Optic flow is defined by Wikipedia as the pattern of apparent motion of objects, surfaces, and edges in a visual scene, caused by the relative motion between an observer and a scene. Are you scratching your head yet? Do a quick Google search for Gustav Klimt, Vincent Van Gogh, or traditional Japanese art for famous examples of visual flow. How do your eyes move around the pieces? You'll find that your sight is drawn around the artwork in a certain way, following lines, repeating elements, the blur of "motion" (even though obviously the art is not actually moving!). Lines may be the most obvious way you can create flow in your photography. Think about how you might incorporate repeating elements or even motion blur itself into your next project or session! Helping a viewer or client experience movement through your images is a gift.

2. Suspension

This is one of the main reasons we all bought our cameras, am I right? Suspended movement is the epitome of any camera's best quality: "freezing" time. It's the ability to capture action. It's waves crashing into a sandcastle, hair flying behind your daughter on a swing, mud splatting in an outdoor "kitchen", mid-twirl arms raised to the sky. Whether your subjects are clients or family, encourage them to get moving! Jumping, running, skipping, spinning ... What will happen when the action is complete? This is the information you want the viewer to fill in for themselves.

3. Motion Blur

These two words have become kind of a dirty combination in the photography world. But intentional (or happy accident) motion blur can bring a new and interesting dynamic to your photos. Motion blur does not necessarily have to come from your subject, either. Our environment is always moving!

How will you bring a fresh perspective to movement in your images this year?