spinning propeller + phonecam
Flew over to Jersey (the island) on a turbo-prop plane so thought I'd see what the spinning prop looked like as a photo. I was quite surprised/impressed with the effect. This was taken with my phonecam - you won't get the effect with a DSLR because it has a shutter. The prop has variable-pitch blades, so the effect looks different on the ground - the blades have a much flatter angle then. I took a bit of video too and got yet another effect, in fact two effects, depending on which way round I held the camera (vertical or horizontal).
I think it happens because the phonecam has no shutter. The sensor is read as fast as possible but not as fast as the prop is moving. Much like the strobe effect on spinning wheels. So, one line is read, the prop moves a bit, the next line is read, etc. So each line of the image shows the prop in a different position.
Several other people have already captured this. Good example (much prettier engine cowling!) www.flickr.com/photos/curiouslee/2300288187/
[edit 25 Jan 2009: this got linked from the geeksaresexy.net blog yesterday and got 443 views in a single day! Thanks guys :) ]
Comments and faves
OscarFalcon (45 months ago | reply)
It's an odd thing isn't it? I like how it looks though...
Sandy Edgar (Flickr Blog) (45 months ago | reply)
That is so cool. I love accidental magic in photography.
kimbenson45 (45 months ago | reply)
Fascinating! Surreal. Love it.
pni, NinaMyers, triiku, Dun-that, and nielsamd added this photo to their favorites.