How to choose shutter speed on your camera

Camera

Shutter speed (also known as shutter speed) serves a purpose beyond just adjusting the exposure level in your photos. While it might not be a top priority in casual photography settings like landscapes or portraits, other genres of photography heavily rely on the right shutter speed to produce excellent outcomes.

What is shutter speed

The duration of time that a photograph is captured is referred to as the "exposure duration" or "shutter speed". It is important to understand how to select and adjust the shutter speed on your camera, unless you are using a fully automatic mode. Choosing the incorrect value can result in a blurry image, particularly if a tripod is not utilized.

The shutter speed of a camera denotes the length of time that the camera’s shutter remains open, allowing light to pass onto the sensor. Essentially, it is the time it takes to capture an image. Additionally, the shutter speed also affects how moving objects are captured, not just the exposure of the image.

How shutter speed is indicated

The designation for shutter speed can be either S (shutter) or Sv (shutter speed value). To indicate the flash sync speed on the shutter speed dial, a lightning bolt symbol is typically used. For Canon cameras, the letters Tv are used to indicate the shutter speed priority mode. Certain advanced automatic cameras with dedicated flash units offer a high-speed synchronization feature. This feature utilizes a series of flashes at specific intervals to illuminate areas of the frame that exceed the flash sync speed. However, this mode is not commonly used because it diminishes the flash range (resulting in a weak flash across the entire sensor) and is not always compatible with certain flash automation functions.

It is important to note that a photo captured at a speed exceeding the sync speed usually tends to have subpar quality.

How to adjust shutter speed

Shutter speed can vary from a minuscule fraction of time to a few seconds or even several minutes. The measurement of the shutter speed range includes values like 1/5, 1/80, 1/100, 1/500, 1/1000, and so on. Majority of cameras allow for a maximum shutter speed of 1/4000th of a second. The slower the shutter speed, the more light enters the camera lens. Choosing the correct shutter speed depends on the available light in the scene. In low light conditions, the shutter speed needs to be increased.

What happens when the shutter speed is slowed down

When capturing moving objects, it’s important to adjust your camera settings to ensure sharpness. To avoid blurring caused by camera shake, make sure that the shutter speed is slow enough. A general guideline is to set the shutter speed to at least the reciprocal of the focal length (in 35mm). For instance, if you’re using a 50mm lens, the minimum shutter speed should be 1/50th of a second. For a 200mm lens, the minimum shutter speed would be 1/200th of a second. If you’re using smaller formats, it’s recommended to use a focal length equivalent to 35mm, as blurring becomes more prominent in these cases.

How to set the shutter speed on your camera correctly

Position and secure the camera on a stable surface, such as a tripod, to eliminate any unwanted shaking. This is especially important when using the timer or automatic button to trigger the shutter. When capturing long exposure shots, the only limitation is the movement of the subject being photographed. It is recommended to choose a maximum shutter speed that is inversely proportional to the effective focal length.

There are instances where capturing some motion blur can be desirable, as it can give the image a sense of action. By selecting a specific shutter speed, you can ensure that the majority of the subject, such as their torso, remains sharp while their moving parts, like their feet, car tires, or a ball, appear softer and convey a sense of movement.

When water is in motion, it can take on various appearances: sharp and rigid, soft and hazy, or even abstract, resembling cotton candy. As the camera’s shutter speed is decreased, the perception of the water’s movement will intensify, making it appear faster. When photographing sports events, it’s important to ensure that the use of flash is permitted and that it doesn’t disrupt the athletes’ focus.

Types of shutter speeds and their uses

After you have committed to memory the technique of adjusting your camera’s shutter speed, let’s explore ten unique scenarios that demand your mastery of this skill in order to achieve exceptional outcomes.

Freezing motion is necessary in various circumstances. Examples of this include capturing the image of a person in motion, an animal leaping, or the cascading drops of water from a fountain or waterfall.

In order to accomplish this, one must adjust the shutter speed to ensure that the camera captures the subject in motion without any blurring. It is important to note that each subject will require a different shutter speed, so it is recommended to conduct tests to determine the appropriate speed for capturing motion.

As a reference, high-speed subjects such as fast cars or animals running may require a shutter speed of around 1/1000 second. Bicycles may require a speed of around 1/500 second, while sea waves may only require a speed of 1/250 second. However, it is important to remember that these speeds are approximations, as the speed of each subject can vary significantly.

That is precisely the reason why it is highly advisable to perform some test shots. However, if circumstances do not afford you the opportunity, it is better to opt for a sufficiently speedy exposure, even if it may seem excessively fast. By doing so, you mitigate the risk of losing the desired photograph. Always bear in mind that a well-captured image with a slight amount of noise resulting from compensating for an overly fast shutter speed is far superior to a photograph that fails to highlight the main subject matter.

Merely freezing motion doesn’t satisfy us. Sometimes, capturing a complete freeze in motion can lead to a photo that fails to convey what we desire. Take the example of a racing motorcycle – if we freeze its motion, it will appear as if it has come to a halt, devoid of the dizzying sensation of speed that we are seeking.

For this particular style of photography, where our aim is to capture the subject in motion while still preserving the feeling of speed, we often opt for a longer shutter speed. Utilizing a longer shutter speed on our camera is a technique that may require a bit of investment to fully grasp the concept, yet once we understand the controls, we’ll realize how effortlessly we can achieve impressive outcomes.

In order to perform a scan, one must utilize a prolonged shutter speed and maintain the same pace as the subject being photographed while the shutter remains open. This will result in the subject appearing motionless while the background undergoes a tripling in size, generating a perception of velocity. Alternatively, one may opt to utilize a tripod to track the subject along a linear path.

Generally, photographers use shutter speeds of 1/70 or 1/50 of a second, but you can experiment and try shooting at 1/30 of a second. The longer the shutter speed, the more pronounced the effect will be.

The Zoom technique operates on a similar principle as utilizing extended exposure times, except instead of shifting the camera horizontally, we will advance (or retreat) the camera or, if necessary, adjust the zoom with the lens.

Consequently, in line with the previous approach, we will utilize longer exposure times, albeit not excessively rapid to evade any complications with the subject. With the shutter unclosed, we will maneuver the camera, striving to maintain the subject’s position unchanged, thereby ensuring its clarity and producing a blurred background. This blurriness will follow the movement we have executed, generating a sense of motion in our subject, evoking feelings of swiftness, constraint, or despair.

Mounting your camera on a tripod will make it easier to achieve this effect, especially when using a zoom lens.

Shake

Shaking is not solely an indication of technical malfunction. On occasion, it can be employed to produce innovative photographs that depict certain emotions. Furthermore, this technique can be utilized to convey a sense of velocity, vertigo, and bewilderment, among others.

In order to capture the focal point rather than the background, the most efficient approach is to secure the camera onto a tripod and employ slow shutter speeds. If a tripod is unavailable, determine the slowest shutter speed that can be managed (typically around 1/30 sec.) and employ techniques to attain stability.

As the sun begins to set, the camera’s need for more light becomes apparent. And as night falls, even the glow of city streetlights won’t provide enough light for a well-exposed photo.

In these scenarios, it’s important to slow down and capture as much light as possible without significantly increasing the ISO. Even when using a tripod, keep in mind that if you’re photographing a person, they may still be moving. Aim for a shutter speed of around 1/30 or 1/40 seconds to properly expose the image. Additionally, open up the aperture as wide as possible and adjust the ISO sensitivity as needed.

Silk effect

The silk effect is a highly desired outcome in landscape photographs that feature bodies of water such as rivers, waterfalls, or the sea. This effect creates a soft and smooth appearance for the water, which exudes an alluring beauty and tranquility. But what exactly is the silk effect?

The silk effect is achieved by capturing the movement of the water through a technique called long exposure. By using a slow shutter speed, photographers can capture the flowing nature of the water, resulting in the silk-like appearance.

To achieve the silk effect, photographers typically use shutter speeds longer than 1 second, with the exact duration depending on the speed and strength of the water flow. The faster and more forceful the water, the slower the shutter speed required to achieve the desired effect.

When engaging in this type of photography, a tripod is usually essential to ensure stability and prevent blurring. Additionally, the use of a Neutral Density (ND) filter is often necessary, particularly in daylight conditions, to avoid overexposure caused by the lengthy shutter speed.

Clouds in motion

One can achieve the phenomenon of moving clouds similar to the silky water effect by employing extended exposure times. The speed at which the clouds move, dictated by factors such as wind intensity, determines the necessary duration of the shutter speed to produce a noticeable effect. In order to render the cloud movement clearly visible, it is advisable to utilize a few seconds of exposure time.

Similar to capturing the silk effect, shooting moving clouds during the day necessitates the use of a tripod and a neutral density (ND) filter.

Night photography, being a unique genre of photography, requires a specific approach. Simply relying on normal settings or automatic mode won’t yield satisfactory results. The key factor for achieving impressive outcomes lies in mastering the shutter speed setting.

When capturing starry skies, it is essential to use a longer exposure time, typically ranging from 15 to 30 seconds. However, it is important to be mindful of the earth’s rotation, as exceeding a certain speed can lead to blurred star trails. The optimal shutter speed to avoid this blurring effect depends on the focal length chosen.

Light painting

Light painting is a form of night photography that relies on the use of shutter speed. In light painting, the photographer "paints" with light to create unique images. This technique can be done using various light sources such as flashlights, flashes, lasers, light toys, specialized tools made for light painting, car headlights, or even fire and sparks.

To create a light painting photo, the photographer needs to have a long exposure setting and move the light source in the desired shape while the shutter is open. This records all movements, resulting in shapes, patterns, or highlighted areas within the photograph. The only challenge with light painting is that it is difficult to determine how long it will take to achieve the desired effect.

Flash

When using on-camera flash, lighting, or studio flashes, it is crucial to give careful consideration to the shutter speed. The shutter speed is a magnificent tool that dictates how long the shutter remains open. A high shutter speed results in a shorter duration with the shutter open. Unfortunately, unless you are using specialized high-speed synchronized flashes, it is unlikely that you will be able to increase your shutter speed beyond 1/200 or 1/250, as these are the synchronization speeds of most flashes.

It is imperative to note that exceeding this speed will result in the undesirable "curtain" effect. This manifests as a darker streak appearing in your photograph.

This happens because when using a fast shutter speed, the flash fires when the shutter is already closing, thus preventing light from fully reaching the entire photo.

Nowadays, image stabilizers have become an essential tool for preventing any movement while capturing images. Some camera manufacturers such as Sony or Olympus have included this convenient feature directly in their cameras. Alternatively, lens-based image stabilization should be utilized. Tamron has equipped its lenses with a vibration compensation mechanism, ensuring outstanding performance: the lens can detect and compensate for up to 400 vibrations per second.

The image stabilizer allows for sharp results even when using long shutter speeds. It is particularly useful for compensating for your own movements. However, if you wish to photograph a soccer player or a bird in flight, it is recommended to use a slower shutter speed.