A Trend Research Project
MOTION BLUR PHOTOGRAPHY
Project Brief
The assignment discusses the fashion photography and social media trend of motion blur photography. Motion blur has been an inseparable part of the history of the camera and fashion photography. The first examples of motion blur could be seen in street photography from the 1850s. With women's social and political liberation in the 1930s, American fashion photographers became the first to use the motion blur effect in mainstream fashion photography. In the 1980s and 1990s, motion blur movies from fashion magazines to family albums and polaroid photography. The transition of this trend from fashion to family albums added a layer of nostalgia for Gen Z and Millenials.
What is motion blur?
Motion blur could be best described as a photography effect. The effect can occur naturally when the exposure time for clicking a photograph is long and, there is relative motion between in subject and the camera. Today, the effect can be created with the help of photo editing software.
Motion blur during the inception of street photography
1840 was the year the calotype (believed to be the ancestor of the reel camera) technique of photography was invented in France. The exposure time of a photograph decreased significantly with this invention. Calotype reduced the cost of photography as well as allowed photographers to be mass-produced.
Motion blur during the golden age of street photography
The 1930s to the 1950s marked the golden age of street photography with photographers like André Kertész, Brassaï, and Henri Cartier-Bresson ruling this industry. The era of street photography was heavily condensed in Paris. The discovery of Leica cameras allowed photography to be on the move for the first time. The exposure time needed to click a photograph was reduced, and the quality of the photographs improved. But even after that, motion blur continued to be a by-product of street photography. All the other genres of
Introduction of motion blur in fashion photography
The rise of ready-to-wear fashion and the freedom of women from the restriction of corsets created a liberating socio-political atmosphere for women in America. Women actively started wearing sportswear and taking part in sports. During this time, in 1933, Hungarian photographer Martin Munkacsi did a shoot of Calvin Klein women.
Motion blur during the second wave of feminism.
While the 1930s introduced motion blur in fashion photography, it is the 1960s that is believed to be the golden age for this effect. The 1960s and post-1960s was the time when youth took over the culture and the generation gap became significant.
Motion blur during the turn of the century.
Fashion photography was following the theme of fantasy, science fiction, and mystery in the 2000s. French fashion photographer, Sarah Moon, used motion blur to make her photographs appear like a painting and add a layer of mystery and fantasy to them.
Motion blur for glam and nostalgia.
Fashion photography was following the theme of fantasy, science fiction, and mystery in the 2000s. French fashion photographer, Sarah Moon, used motion blur to make her photographs appear like a painting and add a layer of mystery and fantasy to them.
Motion blur in the present context
The year 2020 and 2021 have had a major impact on the lives of the people. The pandemic has brought almost everyone into the simulated universe of social media. The lack of movement in the last two years has made people crave spontaneity, movement, and authenticity at least in their simulated life.
