ELEKTRO

Here's a tip on how to achieve the look of motion with a static object: First of all, you need to use a zoom lens that can be manually zoomed and a camera that allows you to set your flash to "slow synch" or "rear synch." DSLR's have this kind of functionality.

A brief explanation: Usually cameras have a set synch speed for the flash, typically 125th or 250th of a second. In most DSLR's an additional "slow-synch" setting is provided which allows the use of slower synch speeds. This is useful in order to capture ambient light in low light situations, like sunsets and city lights. Rear synch or "Rear curtain synch" is a type of slow synch in which the flash is fired just before the shutter closes. This creates those characteristic blurry motion trails.

The image above was achieved by setting the flash to rear synch and the exposure mode to shutter priority for 1.3 seconds. The other settings: f22, ISO100 and an exposure bias of -2/3 EV. Here is the main trick to get the magical motion lines: During capture I quickly zoomed the lens. Of course a lot of experimentation is required. Play around by bracketing speed, aperture, amount of zoom and camera movement in order to get the look you want.

I hope my explanation wasn't too confusing. To help, dig up your camera manual and check out your flash synching options. This is definitively a fun technique, so try it!