Shutter Speed - Post #1
As you read the post and study the information on shutter speeds, also note the shutter speed directly under each of the photos. What do you notice about the photos and shutter speeds?
 |
| Shutter Speed = 1/80 |
My posts on
aperture-f/stop were easy, right? This will be too. Leave any questions in your comment box.
With a Point & Shoot
or iPhone shutter speed is set by shooting on automatic or the auto modes like
action, portrait or macro. My Point & Shoot also has a specific shutter
priority mode, yours may also. Check your camera's manual for setting shutter
speed.
 |
| Shutter Speed = 1/250 |
On a dSLR, shutter speed
is set automatically when using the various auto modes. When using the shutter
priority mode or manual mode you set the shutter speed. Check your camera's manual on how to set priority mode.
Shutter Speed explained
the easy way:
When you click the button
on your camera to take a photo, the shutter opens and exposes the camera’s
sensor to light. The shutter speed is the amount of time the shutter is open from
the time the button is clicked to the time it returns to its original position.
This action is called shutter speed or exposure time.
 |
| Shutter Speed = 1/650 |
Shutter speed is the
length of time that your camera sensor ‘sees’ the scene you’re capturing.
Don’t get this confused
with aperture-f/stop although the two work together and play an important role
in the outcome of your photo.
Shutter speed is measured
in seconds, or in most cases, fractions of seconds. The bigger the
denominator is of the fraction the faster the speed. 1/1000th is much faster
than 1/30th. A denominator is the number below the line in a common fraction
like 1/30. So, 1/30 = 30.
 |
| Shutter Speed = 1/1000 |
A typical shutter speed
range may look like this:
Shutter speeds: 1sec;
1/2sec; 1/4sec; 1/8th; 1/15th; 1/30th; 1/60th; 1/125th; 1/250th; 1/500th;
1/1000th; 1/2000th
When viewing shutter speed
in your camera read-out, these fractions will show as a whole number: 1/60
reads as 60, etc.
As a very rough rule of
thumb, use high shutter speeds like 1,000 or higher for fast moving objects.
500 is a good general shutter speed, for slow moving objects use 125 or 250.
But – this is a very rough guide. We will discuss this more in my next post.
In most cases you’ll
probably be using shutter speeds of 1/60th of a second or faster. This is
because anything slower than this is very difficult to use without getting camera
shake. Camera shake is when your camera is moving while the shutter is open and
results in blur in your photos.
 |
| Shutter Speed = 1/2000 |
If you’re using a slow
shutter speed, typically slower than 1/60th, you’ll need a tripod or a way
to stabilize your camera. Setting your camera on a table or other stable object
and using the self-timer works if you don’t have a tripod. If your camera
offers vibration reduction turn it on. Your manual will tell you how.
We will discuss more on
setting shutter speeds in my next post.
Meanwhile – happy
clicking!
