Frozen action

An ongoing action appears sharply stopped.

Visual traits

• stopped instant
• sharp contour
• action tension

Expected changes

• An instant of action is more likely to become clear

Definition

Frozen action is a temporal effect that clearly shows an ongoing action as a single instant. It does not determine shutter speed, a particular action, subject, or capture method.

In more detail

It makes changes such as a leap or splash readable as a still form. It is distinct from an inactive scene, afterimage, and slow motion.

Includes

• A stopped instant of an ongoing action

Excludes

• Shutter speed, a particular action, afterimage, or an inactive scene

What this does not imply

• Shutter speed, a particular action, afterimage, or slow motion

Variability

Action type and degree of stillness can be adjusted separately.

Usage

• Use it as a temporal effect

Distinguish similar expressions

• Specify afterimage separately

Typical uses

• Show a clear instant of action

Possible failure modes

• It becomes only a static pose