Showing Blurred Motion WITH Still, Focused Elements

I read a question recently on how to capture a rushing waterfall so that the moving water was a 'haze' or blur, showing motion, but the rest of the photo in sharp focus. This is accomplished with a slow shutter speed and appropriate aperture.

The photo below is a sample shot I took in the kitchen sink. Notice the ketchup bottle, sink basin, water drops, and skillet are in focus, but the running water is a blur. This is the effect we want and can carry the technique to the river and waterfall.

On the Panasonic FZ28, I put it on a tripod of course, went into Manual mode, dial in a '1 second' shutter speed, close up the aperture to prevent overexposure with the slow shutter and go with F-7. Then Manually focus on the still elements of the shot, such as the ketchup bottle. Lastly, to eliminate any movement of the camera when firing the shutter, I chose the 2-second self timer mode, compose the shot, press the shutter, hands off the camera, and in 2 seconds, it takes the shot.




In the next photo, you will notice in front of the piggy, there is a diagonal-streaking bluish blur. This is a 1.5" blue ball I rolled across the frame while the shudder was open. Notice the pig is fairly in focus.


Last photo is a goofy shot of my son and I. I asked him to be as still as possible, while I convulsed. Panasonic FZ28, tripod, 1 second shutter.



When you do these type of shots (mixed still/blurred elements) using slow shutter, you will not need to use the flash. You will have to primarily control the exposure with aperture settings. You probably could work the flash in, maybe, but my 2 attempts were no good.