In a method for detecting a motion of an object with the aid of an image recording system (e.g., HDR camera) which includes an image sensor, a first reset and a second reset are performed at a time interval during the exposure of the image sensor, an extent of a region of constant brightness is measured from the image of an object, and the motion (direction, velocity, and optionally acceleration) of the object is ascertained from the relationship between the measured extent and the time interval between the first and second resets. This motion determination is achieved with the aid of a single image.