Major Zoomage

Disclaimer: I know “zoomage” isn’t an actual word, but it is a pretty cool word anyways, isn’t it? I added the age to the end of zoom to create a word akin to saying “mad air” or some such thing in an extreme sport. This technique is only possible with a SLR (or DSLR), unless you’ve found a point-and-shoot camera that can zoom during the exposure.

The technique is quite simple really. Take a long enough exposure that, while the shutter is open, you can give the zooming ring on your camera a short twist. (You can also try taking longer – 1 to 30 second and above – exposures, and do a longer zoom, slower twist.) Try different length exposures, and subjects..you can get some interesting portraits, if done right! (See the photo to the right)

Once you get the hang of it, you can have lots of fun, going around with you camera, making even the dullest of things look exciting with motion! And it requires no special PhotoShopping afterwards to aquire the technique, it’s all done on your camera.