Understanding Shutter Speed: Capturing Time in Photography
A shutter speed of 2.5 seconds was slow enough to produce a soft ethereal look of the water in this small waterfall.
Shutter Speed is one of the most fundamental concepts in photography. It governs how long the camera’s shutter remains open, in order to allow light to reach the sensor. This amount of time plays a crucial role in determining exposure, sharpness, and the overall aesthetic of a photograph.
What is Shutter Speed? Definition & Function.
Technically, shutter speed can be defined as the length of time the camera’s shutter remains open when taking a photograph. Measured in seconds (and fractions of a second), shutter speeds can range from several seconds to as fast at 1/32,000 of a second in some higher-end cameras. The longer the shutter remains open, the more light will hit the sensor, while a shorter shutter speed will result in less light hitting the sensor.
Shutter Speed’s Effect on Motion.
One of the most noticeable effects shutter speed has on photography is its ability to show or stop motion. The faster the shutter speed, the more likely you are to freeze motion in the frame. Conversely, the slower the shutter speed, the more motion blur is captured.
An example of when to use a fast shutter speed would be when capturing fast moving subjects like an athlete or wildlife. This will ensure a sharp and detailed image. On the flipside, when photographing a waterfall or river, you may want to use a slow shutter speed to blur the movement of the water, creating a silky-smooth effect. This will give a more ethereal quality to your image.
Exposure: Shutter Speed
Shutter Speed makes up one side of the exposure triangle (along with ISO and Aperture. Shutter speed affects exposure by regulating the amount of time your sensor is exposed to light. In brightly lit situations, a fast shutter speed is often preferred and sometimes necessary to achieve proper exposure and capture high levels of clarity. Conversely, in low-light or night scenes, a slow shutter speed is often necessary to allow enough light to reach your sensor, you must be careful however, as you risk introducing blur if not carefully managed. Shooting in manual or shutter priority modes enables photographers to fine-tune exposure by adjusting the shutter speed.
Creativity
Beyond the technical—shutter speed allows a photographer to manipulate the perception of time in an image. You can evoke emotions or a particular mood, or even tell stories through the manipulation of shutter speed. Mastering shutter speed allows a photographer to craft images exactly how they want which can allow viewers to resonate with the images on a deeper level.
