What’s the importance of camera shutter speed? In photography and video, shutter speed is crucial for capturing fluidity and motion in a still image. But what exactly does shutter speed mean, and how do you choose a camera shutter speed? Here are some important tips:
In photography
The shutter speed on your camera controls how long the light will be exposed. If you shoot your subject moving too fast, you will have a blurry image. You can use a higher shutter speed to capture a fast-moving subject, such as a soccer game. A half-second shutter speed can be good enough to capture a person’s motion without blurring.
You must set your aperture and ISO settings to determine the proper shutter speed for a particular scene. Often, the shutter will open to let light in, and the maximum shutter speed will be higher than the minimum. A lower aperture will allow more light to enter the lens, and a faster shutter speed will allow more light to hit the sensor. You can also adjust the shutter speed by manually adjusting the aperture on your camera.
In video
While capturing video, the speed of the camera is critical. Filmmakers often want to achieve a certain depth of field or aperture to achieve a certain effect. For example, in a scene with high contrast, a wide-open lens allows a great deal of light to reach the camera’s sensor. Similarly, a slower shutter speed in brightly lit scenes will provide the correct exposure. However, this can cause motion blur and is inappropriate for every situation.
The faster the shutter speed, the choppy the final video will be. As a general rule, the shutter speed should be twice the frame rate, which in this case means 24 fps. For example, if you want to shoot a video of a tennis match, you’ll want to use a shutter speed of 1/48. However, this can make for an unsatisfactory outcome if the background is dark.
For capturing motion
The speed of a camera’s shutter is essential to capturing motion. However, shutter speeds differ greatly between cameras and are not always directly proportional to the subject’s movement. They also depend on the amount of light and the steadiness of the photographer’s hand. For instance, a photographer shooting a bird in flight will want to use a shutter speed of 1/1000s, while a jogger can get away with a 1/250s shutter speed. The same applies to shooting a portrait – a photographer with a tripod can snap a pin-sharp photo for up to 30 seconds.
When taking photos of moving subjects, a faster shutter speed is required to freeze the subject’s movement. For example, a 1/500-second shutter speed is adequate for capturing a runner moving in the street or a car moving on a highway. However, a faster shutter speed will give the photographer more flexibility in experimenting. It is best to review the LCD screen photo to find the right shutter speed.
For capturing fluidity in a still image
Shutter speed refers to the time taken by a camera to open and close the shutter during a shooting session. Shutter speeds are generally measured in fractions of a second; the shorter the speed, the faster the shutter will open and close. The list of shutter speeds starts with the longest at ten seconds and gets shorter. The shortest shutter speed is half a second, while the fastest is one second.
Slow shutter speeds allow the photographer to blur major scene elements and create a sense of motion. A fast shutter speed freezes the movement of water, while a slow shutter speed creates a silky appearance. This technique will depend on the photographer’s preference but can make a big difference in the fluidity of a still image. However, long shutter speeds are best for capturing peaceful moments.
For achieving a balanced exposure
Your camera’s shutter speed is an important consideration in achieving a balanced exposure in your photo. Shutter speed determines how long light will hit the sensor and how much motion will be blurred in your image. Therefore, if your subject moves, you must use a slower shutter speed to freeze motion and achieve a balanced exposure. For example, if you are trying to capture the feathers of a bird, use a slower shutter speed of 1/4000s.
The shutter speed is typically displayed on the main LCD. DSLRs with a live view will show the shutter speed around the extremity of the image. Point and shoot cameras without live view display the shutter speed by pressing the information button. It cycles through various on-screen displays.
