* In Photography: When a camera's shutter is open for a longer period of time, any movement that occurs during that time is recorded as a blur. This can be either the subject moving, the camera moving, or both.
* In Animation and VFX: Motion blur is artificially added to animation or visual effects to simulate the effect of a camera recording movement in the real world. Without motion blur, animation can often look choppy or unnatural, especially for fast-moving objects.
Key takeaways:
* It's caused by movement during exposure (real or simulated).
* It creates a streak or blur behind moving objects.
* It can be a desirable effect (to convey speed, energy, or a dreamlike state) or an unwanted one (when you want a sharp, clear image).
In short, motion blur is the streaking of moving objects in an image or animation, caused by movement during the recording or creation process.