Anyone with kids knows that there are times when you just have to turn them loose outside and let them play—run out all the excess energy that’s been building up inside their little bodies. We hit that point with our little ones recently so we tossed em in the car, butts first, and drove to the nearest facility durable enough to handle their rowdiness. Upon arriving, we opened the doors and watched as they ran with abandon, like a couple of puppies let off their leash. They played until they were thoroughly exhausted, which takes about 10 minutes according to them, and then made them play for 50 minutes more, which they considered torture.

Being that it was World Photography Day, I decided that this would be a good opportunity to take some pictures of the munchkins as a reminder that there really are moments in their lives when we’re not tempted to duct tape them to a wall. The problem with that plan is that the playground is delightfully covered in shade, which is a benefit for everything except taking good, crisp photographs. At least, such is the case with my camera. I understand newer cameras don’t have as much a noise issue in low light as do older ones. I’m not blessed with a newer camera, though, because people like you aren’t giving me any money. Such is life.

Why do we need clear, crisp photos all the time, anyway? Okay, it’s understandably frustrating when we have one chance to get a final shot of great-aunt Matilda before she ventures off into the great scented-candle-beyond and her face is blurred. Or, at least, we think it’s blurred. What we miss, though, in our fanatical insistence on overly sharp-focused photographs is the alternative translation of shape and form that takes place when we allow motion to happen. Shapes morph and features change giving us a different perspective on a world that never stops moving.

So, we let motion happen. We set apertures tight and shutter speeds low and tried to stay still and let the motion happen. Of the 19 photos below, that approach worked in all but one. For that one, which is instantly recognizable, I apparently moved in the opposite direction of the child. The result is a photo that looks as though it has had a paint stroke filter applied. I assure you that hasn’t happened.

For the sake of reference, we’ve included the aperture and shutter speed settings with each photo. Click on any of the images below to view the full-sized set. Then, go out and give it a try for yourself. You might be surprised by what you see.

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