then SHUTTER SPEED is (sort of) like your EYELID! It controls how long your eye is open.
What is Shutter Speed?
Shutter speed, also known as “exposure time”, stands for the length of time a camera shutter is open to expose light into the camera sensor. If the shutter speed is fast, it can help to freeze action completely, as seen in the above photo of the dolphin. If the shutter speed is slow, it can create an effect called “motion blur”, where moving objects appear blurred along the direction of the motion. This effect is used quite a bit in advertisements of cars and motorbikes, where a sense of speed and motion is communicated to the viewer by intentionally blurring the moving wheels.
How shutter speed is measured
Shutter speeds are typically measured in fractions of a second, when they are under a second. For example 1/4 means a quarter of a second, while 1/250 means one two-hundred-and-fiftieth of a second or four milliseconds. Most modern DSLRs can handle shutter speeds of up to 1/4000th of a second, while some can handle much higher speeds of 1/8000th of a second and faster. The longest shutter speed on most DSLRs is typically 30 seconds (without using external remote triggers).
Fast, slow and long shutter speeds
Fast shutter speed is typically whatever it takes to freeze action. It depends on the light, but it is typically above 1/500th of a second for general photography and above 1/1000th of a second for extremely fast moving objects (like bird photography).
Slow shutter speed is considered to be the slowest shutter speed that you can handle without introducing camera shake. Long shutter speeds are typically above 1 second, when you have to use a tripod to get acceptably sharp images (for low-light/night photography or to capture movement).
How to set shutter speed (if you have a DSLR camera)
Most cameras handle shutter speeds automatically through in-camera metering. When the camera is set to “Auto” mode, both shutter speed and aperture are automatically selected by the camera.
There are two ways to manually set the shutter speed:
a) By setting the camera to “Shutter Priority” mode, where you set the shutter speed and the camera automatically selects the aperture based on your lighting situation. This is S or Tv.
b) By setting the camera to “Manual” mode, where you set both shutter speed and aperture manually. This takes more practice and you HAVE to look at your light meter, but it allows you more control.
c.) By setting the camera to "Bulb" or B mode. This mode allows the user to hold in the shutter-release button in and the shutter will remain open the entire time while the button is being held. Not all cameras have a Bulb mode. You MUST use a tripod (or other stabilization device)
Most cameras handle shutter speeds automatically through in-camera metering. When the camera is set to “Auto” mode, both shutter speed and aperture are automatically selected by the camera.
However, we can "trick" the camera into providing us with a short or a long shutter speed.
Long Shutter Speed (to blur motion)
Most digital cameras have at least one setting that will provide a long shutter speed. You may want to try setting your camera to "Landscape" mode (Mountain Icon). You should turn off the flash. This might make moving objects look blurry in medium to dim light locations. It will be trial and error, so be prepared to take a lot of photos and check them to see if the moving object looks blurry. You can also try shooting in "Night" mode or "Night Portrait" (You will want to turn OFF the flash) You can also try "Fireworks," but this setting has a very long shutter speed and should be used in dark locations, with a tripod or on a supported, flat surface. Try using the self-timer function if the photo is too blurry everywhere. Remember, with a Point and Shoot camera, there is a lot of trial and error, so be patient and take a lot of photos!!
Long Shutter Speed (to blur motion)
Most digital cameras have at least one setting that will provide a long shutter speed. You may want to try setting your camera to "Landscape" mode (Mountain Icon). You should turn off the flash. This might make moving objects look blurry in medium to dim light locations. It will be trial and error, so be prepared to take a lot of photos and check them to see if the moving object looks blurry. You can also try shooting in "Night" mode or "Night Portrait" (You will want to turn OFF the flash) You can also try "Fireworks," but this setting has a very long shutter speed and should be used in dark locations, with a tripod or on a supported, flat surface. Try using the self-timer function if the photo is too blurry everywhere. Remember, with a Point and Shoot camera, there is a lot of trial and error, so be patient and take a lot of photos!!
If you want to freeze motion, most Point and Shoot cameras have a way to do this. Look for the Sports Icon as this mode will use the shortest shutter speed possible based on the lighting situation. You will still probably need to be in a very bright location. This mode works best outdoors. It is NOT just for sports. It can be used to freeze moving water or to better focus on a rather spastic subject (like babies, children and animals!)
ShortCourses-- Click on ALL red animation buttons on the left side of page!!
- Photo Op Interactive -this is fun. Be sure to try this out if you haven't done it yet!
WHAT IS CAMERA SHAKE?
Camera shake occurs OFTEN. It is especially bad when you take photos in low light. Click this link to learn six ways to avoid this dreaded problem! (one thing she doesn't mention here is that you can also lay your camera on a table, post, tree, ground, etc.and use the TIMER function to stabilize the camera)
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