Radial motion blurring is a result of a slow shutter speed, while photographing a fast-spinning object such as the wheel of a car or motorcycle. This Photoshop tutorial is designed to instruct on the use of Photoshop's Radial Blur filter to add the wheel-spin effect of the rapid spinning motion from a rotating object such as a wheel, fan, or propeller.
Now that we have added motion to the background, the fast-spinning wheels don't match the speed-blur of the background. We will use Photoshop's Radial Blur filter to add a spinning motion rotation-blur to the wheels, so that they simulate the same slow shutter-speed effect. There are three settings in the Radial Blur Filter dialog box: Amount (in pixels), Blur Method (Spin or Zoom), and Quality (Draft, Good, Best).
Make a selection of the wheel using the Pen Tool (above, left) which is easier to use on an oval object than the Polygonal Lasso Tool.
Copy and paste the wheel into a new layer, and 'Command>Shift' click the wheel layer in the Photoshop Layers Pallet to select it. Open the Radial Blur Filter (Filter>Blur>Radial Blur...) located in the upper menu-bar.
Set the amount of radial motion blurring to around 25 pixels, so that some detail remains in the blurred object. Set the blur 'Quality' to 'Best,' and set the Blur Method to 'Spin.' The Spin setting simulates rotation. Repeat the process for the far-side front wheel, and foreground rear wheel. Once completed, you will have an action photo that conveys the motion and drama of the moment.
Back To Page 1: Adding Motion with the Motion Blur Filter
