Should all images always be totally in focus? We all know that blurred backgrounds are very nice when shooting flowers, animals, and portraits. However, should the main element in the photograph be fully in focus? Many would say "yes." I would say, "not always." If you photograph a helicopter or a prop-driven airplane it just does not look right if the rotors or props are frozen in mid-air. We need to show them moving. So the helicopter or plane needs to be sharp but the rotors and props need to be blurred. What about animals? Should every part of the animal be in focus?

Here you can see that the face and eyes are sharp but the wingtips are not. This is due not to a focusing issue but the used shutter speed. The wings are moving faster than the shutter speed is able to freeze. Is this a problem? Does it detract from the image? I would argue that it artistically adds to the image. We sometimes do this on purpose to show movement, to create the feeling that the eagle is coming.

          We do this by choosing a shutter speed fast enough to freeze the bird, helicopter, plane, etc. but slow enough to blur the faster moving objects (wingtips, rotors, props, etc.). We do the same with moving cars, bicycles, and so forth because their wheels need to show motion. Yet, the car or bicycle needs to be sharp.

          Experiment with your shutter speed the next time you shoot moving objects. Try to get that balance that renders that which needs to be in focus, sharp while leaving blurred that which moves faster. Whatever you do, if there are a face and eyes they need to be sharp.