5 Things You Need to Know About Shutter Speed
 

Here are 5 important concepts about shutter speed, which you must
understand to take good photographs in a wide range of conditions.

1. What is shutter speed?
The magic of photography happens when light touches the film or CCD: an
image is captured. However, just the right amount of light must enter
the camera. The shutter is basically a sheet covering the film or CCD
and protecting it from the light coming into the lens. When you take a
picture, the shutter opens briefly, allowing light to hit the film or
CCD and create your picture. The length of time that the shutter is
open is what we adjust when we change the shutter speed.

2. How is shutter speed expressed?
A shutter speed could be expressed as 1/8th of a second. A common range
of shutter speeds on a camera would look like this: 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8,
1/15, 1/30, 1/60, etc., with each one being a fraction of a second.

3. Check the light meter to determine the right shutter speed
The light meter in your camera, which is often a series of lights or a
gauge inside the viewfinder, will let you decide what shutter speed to
use. For example, if the meter is saying that it is too bright, you
will want to use a fast shutter speed such as 1/250 so that the shutter
will quickly open and close so that too much light doesn't get in. If
the meter says that it is too dark, you will want to use a slower
shutter speed such as 1/30 so that the shutter will stay open longer in
order to collect enough light to create a picture. Adjust your shutter
speed faster and slower until your light meter is telling you that just
the right amount of light is being let into the camera.

4. When to use slow shutter speeds
You may want to choose a slower shutter speed that provides just the
right amount of blur in order to display speed in the subject. However,
remember that a shutter speed slower than 1/30 makes it difficult to
hold the camera totally still for the whole time the shutter is open.
Moving the camera slightly while the shutter is open is known as
"camera shake," and it can result in the entire image looking a bit
blurry. A general rule is not to hold the camera in your hands if you
plan to use shutter speeds slower than 1/30. Instead, rest it on
something or use a tripod.

5. When to use fast shutter speeds
Using slow shutter speeds to shoot moving subjects can cause them to
appear blurry. A passing car can look like a streak of color across the
photograph rather than a car. The faster the object you are
photographing, the faster the shutter speed needed. If you want to
capture fast-paced sports action, it is a good idea to use a faster
shutter speed, perhaps around 1/500 or 1/1000.
Gary Hendricks
www.basic-digital-photography.com