Shutter speed in photography is one of the essential things that must be understood, and along with aperture and ISO, it forms the basic principles of the Exposure Triangle.
Apart from its key role in exposure, there are other significant shutter speed impacts on photography: motion and instability, two key things for capturing the image you want.
In addition to understanding shutter speed effects, recognizing what constitutes a fast and slow shutter speed, and how the image can vary based on this setting is also fundamental.
In this guide about shutter speed, you’ll discover all the fundamentals of the effects of shutter speed in image capture, how shutters speed opens up a realm of opportunities in photography, and what shutter speed is best suited for the most popular photography styles.
- The query concerns what is shutter speed in photography?
- Shutter speed and photographic exposure
- Shutter speed and motion
- Shutter speed and camera shake
- What shutter speed is generally considered best in photography?
- Shutter speed photography instances
Table of Contents
What is shutter speed in photography?
Shutter speed in photography refers to the duration that the camera shutter remains open, thus capturing and exposing light.
In photographic cameras, both film and digital, the light-detecting component is covered by a thin “layer” that regulates the quantity of light passing through the lens. This “layer” is termed the shutter.
The shutter is a fundamental component in any camera, since it’ll determine the ultimate exposure time and the motion that will be captured.
One of the best photography tips for beginnersinvolves learning what shutter speed is through practical exercises in which you vary this setting in manual mode.
How to measure shutter speed
Shutter speed is quantified in seconds and fractions of a second, in this sequence:
“…5′′, 2′′, 1′′,1⁄2, 1⁄4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500…”
As we go from the left to the right, the shutter speed will be quicker, with, for instance, 1⁄2 signifying half a second and 1/2000 being a two-thousandth fragment of a second.
The period of time separating one shutter velocity and another is called an exposure stop, and expanding or decreasing one halt in the shutter speed will twofold or half the complete exposure period.
Understanding how shutter speed is quantified is essential before talking about the types of shutter speed in photography that you’ll see now.
What is a fast shutter speed in digital photography?
Considering the concepts of fast shutter speed and slow shutter speed is essential for comprehending the shutter speed effects in photography outlined below.
We talk about quick shutter speed when the camera shutter is open for an extremely brief time frame, by and large a length of time beneath 1/60th of a second.
The quickest shutter speed in photography depends on the camera model, but in most standard digital cameras currently on the market, it’s 1/4000th of a second.
Fast shutter speeds are generally used to lessen time and freeze the moment. For example, in wildlife photography, fast shutter speeds are used to capture a bird flying in the sky.
What is a slow photography shutter speed?
Conversely, a slow shutter speed involves keeping the camera shutter open for an extended period, usually beyond 1/60th of a second.
The slowest usual shutter speed for cameras is around 30 seconds, yet you can lengthen this time employing an even slower shutter speed via the Bulb camera mode and a remote shutter.
Slow shutter speeds are employed to lengthen time and record motion. For example, you can set a slow shutter speed to photograph the movement of the water in a river.
Slow shutter speed photography is also called long exposure photography.For this style of photography, a tripod and camera lens filters are needed if undertaking daytime long exposure photography.
The first impact of shutter speed in photography is the change in exposure. By keeping the camera shutter open or closed for a specific duration, the sensor will capture more or less light, which will translate into a brighter or darker exposure.
In this way, considering that other aspects influencing exposure (aperture and ISO) are set, the faster the shutter speed, the darker the image will be, and the slower the shutter speed, the brighter the image will become.
In some cases, there may be boundaries on raising/reducing the ISO and changing the aperture, so in these instances the shutter velocity will be essential for modifying the visibility of the photo. Besides, having a slow shutter velocity will be essential in long exposure night photography to increase the visibility of the image so it is not excessively dim .
Understanding shutter speed and motion
The second and most important effect of the shutter speed setting on photography relates to the capturing of motion.
By utilizing a slower or faster shutter speed, you’ll be capable of capturing a more stable or dynamic image, something that is also referred to as motion in photography.
Motion within photography is a crucial ingredient; you can utilize it to convey the sentiment that the subject is moving, to blur some parts of the visual with an artistic objective, or to remove moving components and distractions. However, choosing the inaccurate shutter speed can result in a loss of sharpnessand lucidity in our photos.
At the end of the article, you’ll see some authentic examples of shutter speed and motion in photography .
Shutter speed and camera shake
The last consequence of shutter speed in photography is the shakiness of the camera. The swiftness at which you’re shooting, along with the focal length, will ascertain if you can shoot handheld or if you need to use some form of stabilization like a tripod, the finest way to obtain sharp photos.
The minimum shutter speed rule for shooting handheld says that you shouldn’t utilize a slower shutter speed than your camera focal length.
For example, if you’re shooting with a 35 mm camera, you should use shutter speed adjustments faster than 1/35th of a second to avoid blurriness.
However, consider this shutter speed rule with some flexibility, since there is no single optimum shutter speed for capturing handheld photographs. The crop factor of your sensor and the employment of long focal lengths will affect the shutter speed you can utilize.
Occasionally, we may mistakenly employ a slower shutter speed than needed to secure sharp images. Even if the photo appears somewhat blurry straight from the camera, don’t be concerned. You can correct it later using software designed for improving blurry pictures. I generally use Topaz Sharpen AI.
Setting Shutter speed On a camera
To adjust the shutter speed on a camera, you can do it through any of the following approaches:
- Manual: When shooting in the manual mode (M), one can personally establish the shutter speed following choosing the ISO and aperture based on the exposure that is desired for capturing.
- Automatic: Shooting in Aperture mode (A), you can manually set the aperture and ISO, and the camera will automatically adjust to the optimal shutter speed.
In photographic cameras of past eras, the dial regulating shutter speed was located on the top right portion of the device, which is where the camera setting modes can now be found on most modern imaging apparatuses.
Presently, the shutter velocity dial is usually on the upper right of the back of the camera. Shifting the wheel, you’ll decrease or increase the shutter speed as per your camera settings.
Discover what the differing camera components, dials, and buttons carry out in this guide.
how to do slow shutter speed photography
To do slow shutter speed photography, you must adjust the basic camera settings to take a correct exposure while using a long shutter speed.
If it’s during the daylight hours, establish the Base ISO (Local ISO where your camera produces the best property and no noise), a restricted aperture (contemplate the side effect of diffraction if you close down your aperture under F16 as illuminated in our piece on aperture), and decrease the shutter speed.
During daytime photography with a slow shutter speed, Neutral Density filters that decrease the light reaching the sensor are generally needed, otherwise the image may end up being overexposed.
If capturing at night, raise the ISO according to your camera`s limits, employ a wide aperture to incorporate as much light as possible, and set a slow shutter speed based on the external light and scene intended. When photographing the Milky Way, for instance, you can do a long exposure photograph of 15-30 seconds. However, if you are recording star trails, your shutter speed can range from a few minutes to several hours.
how to do fast shutter speed photography
To perform photography at fast shutter speeds, you’ll make the same modifications, but your objective will now be to employ brief shutter speeds.
The camera settings will depend entirely on the lighting and subject matter captured. Generally, using wider aperture openings to collect more light and increasing the ISO sensitivity to achieve proper exposure will be necessary.
Shutter speed priority mode
Setting the shutter speed using shutter speed priority mode is the last method on the camera.
Through this partially automated camera setting, you’ll set a fixed shutter speed, and the camera will calculate the aperture automatically. This mode is not very prevalent, but it could be helpful when ensuring certain shutter speeds must be used, such as when photographing from an aircraft .
What is the best shutter speed in photography?
There is no fixed shutter speed formula; the optimum shutter speed for capturing images relies both on the lighting conditions of the scene and the movement one desires to record in the elements.
That said, having a general understanding of what constitutes a suitable shutter speed for different subjects when photographing can be helpful.
Here is a shutter speed chart so you can readily find the best shutter speed in photography at a glance:
This section provides more comprehensive data regarding the ideal shutter speed related to different genres and scenes in photography.
Best shutter speed for wildlife and bird photography
The ideal shutter speed in wildlife photography tends to be fast, particularly when capturing animals moving quickly.
In bird photography, the shutter speed necessitates being extremely rapid, particularly when the birds are airborne.
Shutter speed for slow-moving animals
Shutter speed for fast-moving animals
Best shutter speed for nighttime photography
The most ideal shutter speed for Night Photography will be sluggish, even though it’ll rely upon the scene. On the off chance that you’re catching shots of the Milky Way, you’ll utilize a leisurely shutter speed somewhere in the range of 15 and 30 seconds, yet in the event that you’re shooting the Northern Lights, the shutter speed will be quicker, generally somewhere in the range of 2 to 8 seconds.
Best shutter speed for aerial photography
The optimum shutter speed for Aerial Photography must be extremely fast. For example, capturing from a helicopter or with a drone, the minimum shutter speed will be around 1/2000th of a second to take a sharp image and avoid indistinctness.
What is generally considered the best shutter speed for portrait photography?
In portrait photography, you will need a quick shutter speed to freeze the subject and capture a sharp portrait.
Shutter speed photography examples
The shutter velocity definition and theory are principal, but the best way to fathom shutter velocity is through photographic examples.
Below you’ll see some shutter speed photograph samples connected to diverse styles and taken utilizing short and fast shutter speeds so you can perceive the difference.
fast shutter speed photography examples
Rapid Shutter Speed example in landscape photography
Fast Shutter Speed example in bird photography
Quick Shutter Speed example in portrait photography
Fast shutter movement illustration in road photography
Quick shutter velocity example in sporting photography
A fast and slow shutter speed photographing sports
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1/50 sec. f/5.6, ISO 400 (Left) 1/80 sec. f/5.6, ISO 400 (Right)
Slow shutter speed photography pictures
Examples utilizing slow shutter speeds in landscape photography
Example comparing fast and slow Shutter Speeds with water
1/250 sec. f/11, ISO 200 (Left) 15 sec. f/11, ISO 200 + 10-Stop ND filter (Right)
Another example of a fast and slow shutter speed photographing coastal scenes.
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The exposure times for the left and right images in the photo were 1/4 second at f/8, ISO 320 and 30 seconds at f/8, ISO 320 plus a 6-stop ND filter respectively.
Example of Slow Shutter speed in panning photography
Employ slow shutter speed to eliminate people for example
A quick and slow shutter speed to eliminate people from the picture
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1/250 sec. f/2.8, ISO 2000 (Left) 30 sec. f/22, ISO 100 (Right)
Shutter speed F.A.Q
Below you’ll find responses to some frequent questions for understanding the impact of shutter speed in photography:
What does shutter speed refer to in photography?
Shutter speed pertains to the duration that the camera shutter remains open, absorbing light from the scene.
The significance of shutter speed in photography
Shutter speed is integral in photography. Along with Aperture and ISO, it is one of the three basics in photography that decide the final exposure of an image.
What Defines a Fast Shutter Speed?
Fast shutter speed is generally understood as a shutter speed exceeding 1/60th of a second.
Which shutter speed is the fastest?
The speed at which most digital cameras can close their shutters in the briefest interval is 1/4000, even if some models offer an aperture closure time that is faster still.
What Describes a Slow Shutter Speed?
Slow shutter speed is usually understood as a shutter speed below 1/60th of a second.
Which shutter speed is the slowest?
Most digital cameras allow a minimum shutter speed of 30 seconds under regular settings, though longer exposures can be achieved using the camera`s bulb mode paired with a remote shutter trigger.
Method for selecting shutter speed?
The ideal shutter velocity is contingent on the illumination levels of the scene and the movement sought to be captured.
What shutter speed is recommended for nighttime photography?
In night photography and low-light conditions, the slowest shutter speeds always perform best, ranging from 2 seconds to several minutes.
Conclusion
Now that you`ve read the theory and reviewed some shutter speed examples, the best way to understand what shutter speed in photography is and how it functions is to apply all this knowledge in practice!
Practice photographing scenes with varying light and shutter speed values, and zoom in on the images later to observe how the exposure and motion vary, the two primary effects of shutter speed in photography.
To gain a well-rounded comprehension of shutter speed and exposure, check our guide covering basic photography concepts (also offered as a photography primer PDF). Our articles also discuss the other two core topics in photography:
You’ll also need to understand several key concepts:
I hope this guide to shutter speed in photography helps boost your knowledge regarding this vital topic and allows you to shoot beautiful images!
