More on shutter speed.
March 3rd 2008 04:40
You will need a camera that allows manual control over shutter speed.
Check your camera manual if you’re not sure.
A good solid tripod and some sort of remote shutter release will also be useful.
All cameras have a shutter.
It is simply a mechanical barrier that prevents light from falling on the film or sensor until it is needed.
When a picture is taken, the shutter is opened for a precisely measured amount of time allowing light to pass through.
The duration of the exposure is set by the camera’s light meter, and depends on the amount of available light and the aperture setting.
Most digital cameras will have a range of available settings from a few seconds to a few thousandths of a second.
The first photo at the top shows the effect of two variations.
Shutter priority mode (usually ‘S’ on the mode dial) is a semi-automatic exposure mode in which the photographer sets the desired shutter speed, and the camera’s exposure system then sets the aperture accordingly to produce the correct exposure.
Most people usually let the camera set both the shutter speed and aperture automatically.
In low light conditions the camera may set a slower shutter speed, with an increased risk of movement blur and camera shake.
Most cameras will display some sort of warning when this occurs.
Many also have a ‘B’ setting, in which the shutter stays open for as long as you hold the shutter release down.
fast shutter speed
slow shutter speed
long shutter speed
a shutter speed of 1/1000
short shutter speed
You want a low shutter speed
Slow shutter speed
This last photo uses a far too long shutter speed resulting in a ruined photo
Focal Length and Shutter Speed - another thing to consider when choosing shutter speed is the focal length of the lens you’re using. Longer focal lengths risk camera shake and you need to use a faster shutter speed (unless you have image stabilization in your lens or camera).
The ‘rule’ of thumb for focal length in non image stabilized situations is a shutter speed with a denominator that is larger than the focal length of the lens.
For example if you have a lens that is 50mm 1/60th is probably ok but if you have a 200mm lens you’ll probably want to shoot at around 1/250.
Now, have a practise with your own camera and photos and I do hope you have found this post helpful.
And for those who are deterred from doing it at least you will have a better knowledge of photography.
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For example if you have a lens that is 50mm 1/60th is probably ok but if you have a 200mm lens you’ll probably want to shoot at around 1/250.
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