Motion in a photograph can change the atmosphere and feeling in the image.  There are a few different ways to go about capturing motion. The first way is through freezing the motion.  To do this, you use a fast shutter speed. This fast shutter speed will quickly capture the image without any motion blur.  This technique is useful in capturing fast-moving things in a clear way. It is often used to photograph sports or capture sharp, specific moments. 

Another way to go about photographing motion is through motion blur. Unlike when you freeze motion, motion blur uses a very slow shutter speed, often being open for approximately a second or more.  This captures all the movement that occurs within the time the shutter is open. As a result, you often end up with a blurry motion that gives the viewer a sense of speed and urgency. It is also used to show the beautiful flow in life and movement.  Also, it is a good way to capture the light move.

This image is an example of freeze motion.  As you can see, the birds are perfectly clear, as if they were stopped mid-flight.  There is no motion blur that would make the birds less clear. This is because of the fast shutter speed.  This photo was taken at the shutter speed of 1/1000 of a second.

This next image is an example of a motion blur.  The subject’s face is clear since she did not move when the shutter was open, but on the other hand, motion can be seen through the movement of the glowsticks that circled in constant motion while the shutter was open.  This amount of motion was able to be captured because of the extremely slow shutter speed it was taken in, of 5 seconds.

As you can see, motion can dramatically change the tone of your photograph.  Even if you don’t intend to use it as the whole concept of your photo, it is important to be aware of it and the impact shutter speed can have on your photograph.

Sources:

https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/08/45-beautiful-motion-blur-photos/

https://www.slrlounge.com/freezing-motion-with-high-shutter-speed/