How to Take Motion Blur Photos on iPhone

Motion blur photography has been an old-school trend which is still in continuation. Capturing an image with a sense of motion conveys the idea of action and movement, creating a sense of energy and excitement. This kind of photography is used in various fields such as sports, wildlife, and wedding photography to create visually appealing images. However, taking motion blur photos with an iPhone is not that easy as compared to a professional DSLR camera. This is because of the smaller sensor size and other limitations of an iPhone camera. In this article, we’ll show you how to take motion blur photos on an iPhone and what things you should prepare for it.

Video Tutorial:

The Challenge of How to Take Motion Blur Photos on iPhone

The primary challenge in capturing motion blur photos with an iPhone is that the camera’s shutter speed is too fast, and there is no manual mode to adjust it. Moreover, it lacks shutter priority or aperture priority mode, which are typically found in professional-grade cameras. In addition, the iPhone’s image stabilization feature may work against you while trying to create motion blur. However, with the use of some tips and tricks, one can capture stunning motion blur photos with their iPhone.

Things You Should Prepare for

Before trying to capture a motion blur photo on your iPhone, there are a few things you need to prepare for to ensure the best possible outcome.

1. A steady hand: Since you will be capturing a moving subject, it’s important to keep your hands steady to avoid camera shake.
2. A moving subject: You need something in motion to capture the effect of motion blur on your iPhone.
3. The right location: Choose the right location to capture the motion blur photo. It’s preferable to have a plain background, which will highlight the subject.
4. Lighting: As with any photography technique, lighting is an important factor. Choose the appropriate lighting conditions so that the exposure is balanced.
5. A tripod or steady surface: A steady surface or a tripod will help keep your iPhone steady while capturing motion blur photos.
6. A third-party camera app: Finally, you may want to use a third-party camera app that offers manual controls for capturing motion blur photos.

Method 1: Using Slow Shutter Cam App

One of the easiest methods to capture motion blur photos on your iPhone is by using the Slow Shutter Cam app. It’s an excellent app that allows you to control several camera settings to capture stunning long exposure photos.

1. Download the Slow Shutter Cam app from the App Store.
2. Launch the app, and you will see three different capture modes: Motion Blur, Light Trail, and Low Light.
3. Select the Motion Blur mode and adjust the camera settings as per your preference. You can choose the shutter speed, ISO, and one of the two exposure modes (Auto or Manual).
4. Once you’ve set up the camera settings, place your iPhone on a steady surface or tripod.
5. Now, tap the capture button and wait for your subject to move through the frame.
6. Once the subject has moved through the frame, tap the capture button again to stop the photo.
7. After the photo has been taken, you can adjust its brightness, contrast, and saturation to your liking.
Pros:
1. Manual control over shutter speed and ISO
2. Auto or manual exposure mode
3. Ability to adjust captured image’s settings

Cons:
1. The app is not free
2. The UI can be a bit overwhelming for beginners

Method 2: Using Live Photos to Capture Motion Blur

Since the release of iOS 11, iPhone’s Live Photos feature has become a great tool for capturing stills and videos. However, it can also function as a tool for capturing motion blur photos.

1. Open your iPhone’s camera app and make sure that Live Photos are turned on.
2. Locate your subject and try to keep it in the same position while capturing the Live Photo.
3. While holding your iPhone up to your subject, press and hold the shutter button. Make sure you keep the camera steady during the capture.
4. Now allow the subject to move through the frame while still holding the shutter button.
5. Release the shutter button once the subject has moved through the frame.
6. Open the Photos app and locate the Live Photo you just captured.
7. Swipe up on the photo, and you will see various effects and adjustments you can make.
Pros:
1. Live photos capture both stills and videos
2. Easy to use, no need for a third-party app
3. No extra money spent

Cons:
1. Not much control over how motion is captured
2. Can be difficult to keep the iPhone steady while capturing

Method 3: Using Burst Mode to Capture Motion Blur

Burst mode is another feature of the iPhone’s camera app that can be a great tool for capturing motion blur photos. By taking a series of photos at once, burst mode allows you to capture a sense of movement in your still image.

1. Open your iPhone’s camera app and frame your shot.
2. Press and hold the shutter button to activate burst mode.
3. Keep the shutter button pressed until your subject has passed through the frame.
4. Once the burst is done, open the Photos app, and go to the burst photo.
5. Swipe through the photos until you find the one with the desired motion blur effect.
6. Edit the photo to your preference.
Pros:
1. No extra app needed
2. Burst mode captures multiple images, giving you a better chance of getting a great shot
3. Easy to use and access, it can be done right from the camera app

Cons:
1. Requires a steady hand
2. Hard to predict which photo will have the desired effect

Why Can’t I Take Motion Blur Photos on iPhone?

1. The shutter speed of iPhone is too fast, and there isn’t any manual mode to adjust it.
2. The image stabilization feature which generally helps in keeping the photo steady works against you while trying to capture motion blur photos.
3. Lack of aperture priority mode and shutter priority mode found in professional-grade cameras.

Fixes:

1. Use third-party camera apps that allow you to control the shutter speed and ISO of iPhone.
2. Avoid using the iPhone’s image stabilization feature, or turn it off before capturing motion blur photos.
3. Use Live Photos or Burst mode of the iPhone’s camera app.

Additional Tips

1. Always use a steady surface or a tripod to keep the iPhone steady while capturing motion blur photos.
2. Try using different shutter speeds to create varied motion blur effects.
3. Experiment with different lighting conditions to find the best exposure values.
4. Don’t be afraid to take multiple shots of the same subject, as they can differ in their effects.

5 FAQs about How to Take Motion Blur Photos on iPhone

Q1: Can you take motion blur photos without downloading any third-party applications?
A:

Yes, you can use the Live Photos and Burst mode features which come pre-installed with your iPhone.

Q2: Is it necessary to have a moving subject for capturing motion blur photos?
A:

Yes, you need a moving subject for capturing motion blur photos.

Q3: Will motion blur photos consume more memory than usual photos?
A:

Yes, since motion blur photos are in long-exposure format, they occupy more storage space in comparison to normal photos.

Q4: Which is the best iPhone model for capturing motion blur photos?
A:

Higher-end iPhones like iPhone 12, iPhone 11 have the best cameras, so they are ideal for capturing motion blur photos.

Q5: Can you capture motion blur photos in night mode?
A:

Yes, you can capture motion blur photos in night mode, and it can create stunning effects.

In Conclusion

Capturing motion blur photos on an iPhone is undoubtedly a challenge, but not impossible. By following our tips and methods, you can take excellent motion blur photos with your iPhone. Understanding the limitations of your iPhone’s camera and utilizing third-party apps and built-in features is the key. So, go ahead and capture vivid, beautiful motion blur photos on your iPhone!