The world around us is constantly in motion, whether it’s a tree gently blowing in a delicate breeze or a fast moving car. Capturing this motion in split seconds of time is what photography is about - we thrive to capture every detail and display for the perfect shot.

Adding movement to a photograph can transform an image however it can be a very difficult thing to do. One blink and it’s gone - you’ll never have that same moment again. That’s why we’ve given you a few tips on how best to capture motion:

1)    Be prepared

Firstly, make sure you are alert and always ready to shoot. If you’re aware of everything around you then you will never miss a thing. Animals are an excellent example of subjects that are never static for very long – so capturing them well can be tricky. So what should you consider once you’ve found your subject?

2)    Utilise blurring

Blurring is something you should be aware of. It’s a great way to capture a sense of movement in your action photography. By blurring the background, you can keep the subject sharp. Show down your shutter speed and move your camera to follow the subject.

Take Martin Le-May’s shot of a weasel mounting a woodpecker’s back and taking off through the London air – by using a blurring technique the subject is shown in extremely sharp focus. This moment is captured so perfectly that it became a viral internet sensation – one we loved!

We also adore this image of a rather startled cat, captured by CoinaPhoto user Hiep Nguyen. She too used a blurring technique to allow the motion of the subjects to be captured perfectly.

3)    Know your shutter speed

If you’re wanting to capture fast movement – a very fast shutter speed should be used. This will give your image true impact. Fast moving subjects including birds or running mammals will require a fast shutter speed to freeze their movement.

Water is also an extremely popular subject where you need to consider motion and the effect it will have upon your shot.  The most dramatic pictures are those where the motion is evident, and the rest of the image is still.  To do this, use a slow shutter speed. The slower the speed – the greater the motion captured. Take a look at CoinaPhoto user Matt Robinson’s waterfall image – he captures the water beautifully. What a great shot!

Taking these tips into account we’re sure you’ll see a huge difference in your motion photography. We would love to see what you capture so make sure you upload them to the CoinaPhoto gallery for a chance to earn some coins.