Zoom Blur Photography

What Is Zoom Blur Photography?

Zoom blur is another very interesting technique that shares some similarities to panning photography (which we looked at last week). Zoom blur, lets you take a still scene and inject movement into it. However, instead of moving the camera through space (as you do in panning), you are changing your focal length while the shutter is open. The result is a stretched, tunnel-like effect that pulls everything toward (or away from) the centre of the frame. It is simple in concept, but there is a lot you can do with it.

The Idea Behind It

A zoom blur works because you are changing how the lens bends light WHILE the shutter is open. When you rotate the zoom ring mid-exposure → light spreads across the sensor differently frame-to-frame, edges stretch, lines become rays and depth gets exaggerated.

Camera Settings

Here is a setup that works almost anywhere outdoors, and gives you good control over how “streaky” the blur looks:

Shutter speed:

• 1/4s to 1 second if handheld

• 1–2 seconds if on a tripod (we are going to look at tripod vs. handled down below)

In essence → Longer shutter = smoother streaks. Shorter shutter = more chaotic burst effect.

Aperture:

f/8–f/16

You want/need depth because zooming mid-exposure magnifies softness.

ISO:

100–200

Focus:

Pre-focus manually on your main subject, autofocus tends to panic the moment you start zooming.

How to Do the Zoom Motion

As with panning, the movement matters more than the settings.

For smooth/clean streaks:

• Start twisting your zoom ring the moment you hit the shutter

• Move consistently (no sudden shakes)

• Use your left hand to zoom while your right hand stabilises the camera (well I guess it depends on what your dominant hand is)

• Follow through after the shot (do NOT stop instantly)

For more chaotic/punchy streaks:

• Zoom fast at the start, then slow down

• Or stay still for half the exposure, then zoom

• Or zoom in, pause, and zoom again (gives sort of double ripples)

Two Main Styles of Zoom Blur

1. Zooming IN during the shot

So Start wide → zoom tighter

• The photo will feel like it is falling into the centre

• It pulls the viewer toward the subject

2. Zooming OUT during the shot

Start narrow → zoom wider

• This will make it look like everything is exploding outward

• Very cool with lights and night scenes in general

Tripod vs Handheld

Tripod Zoom Blur

• If you want perfect linear streaks

• Very symmetrical

• Best for architecture

• Looks more intentional, polished, ‘‘professional’’

Handheld Zoom Blur

• Slightly messy look

• Background warps unevenly

• Really good for concerts but also street photography

• Feels more “alive” and expressive, some might say even abstract

Some Generally Good Scenes/Shooting Ideas

• Forests → tree trunks can become great radial lines

• Architecture

• Markets (like food markets for example) → colours sort of smear into abstract art

• Concert lights (generally one of the best use cases)

• Flowers