digital lab : shutter speed

Spinning - Fast Shutter : ISO 400 | Aperture f/1.8 | Shutter 1/500


Spinning - Slow Shutter : ISO 400 | Aperture f/22 | Shutter 1/3

Hi Everyone -

We are on to shutter speed in our digital lab and almost ready to switch the dial to 'M' (manual), but not quite. To recap, here are the four elements to consider when taking a photo, which I call the Power of How -

Step 1 : ISO - How is your light?
Step 2 : Aperture - How is the focus?
Step 3 : Shutter Speed - How long is light allowed into the camera?
Step 4 : Light Meter - How is the exposure to be adjusted?

Shutter speed is important if you want to photograph action (sports) and in very low light situations (night). If you want to blur or freeze motion, setting the shutter speed will be your first priority vs. aperture so you can switch the steps.

Step 3 : Shutter Speed - How long is light allowed into the camera?
Do you want to blur or freeze motion?

Shutter speed controls the length of time the camera's sensor is exposed to light passing through the lens. A fast shutter will freeze motion while a slow one will blur it. It is represented in fractions of a second and will double as you increase/decrease the setting. Although these charts are in fractions, you might only see the denominator (bottom number) on your camera. Here are some guidelines -

Blur motion = the lower the bottom number the slower the shutter. You are more likely to capture camera shake using these settings, so a tripod is strongly encouraged.

• 1
• 1/2
• 1/4
• 1/8
• 1/15
• 1/30

Freeze motion = the higher the bottom number the faster the shutter.

• 1/60
• 1/125
• 1/250+
  

Here are some examples meant to illustrate the technique. Notice the freeze in the motion of the pencils as they fall. Also notice the shallow depth of field and blur of the background from the aperture setting.


Falling - Fast Shutter : ISO 400 | Aperture f/1.8 | Shutter 1/800

Notice the blur of the pencils and the long depth of field from the aperture.


Falling - Slow Shutter : ISO 200 | Aperture f/22 | Shutter 1/10

Notice your ability to see a little bit of definition of each blade as the fan spins and the clarity of the text in the center.


Fast Shutter : ISO 400 | Aperture f/1.8 | Shutter 1/800

Notice the blur of the blades.


Slow Shutter : ISO 400 | Aperture f/22 | Shutter 1/6

Notice the overall clarity and the individual water droplets.


Fast Shutter : ISO 200 | Aperture f/1.8 | Shutter 1/2500

Notice the overall blur of the water spray.


Slow Shutter : ISO 200 | Aperture f/13 | Shutter 1/20

At this point, you can turn your dial to 'S' (shutter) on your dslr and adjust the shutter speed up or down to get the different effects. Your camera will automatically choose the correct aperture as they go hand in hand. On your point & shoot, try switching to the runner or night icons for a faster shutter speed.


ISO 400 | Aperture f/5 | Shutter 1/400

Next time, we'll cover the light meter, which deals with adjusting the exposure. Although it is easy enough to do, this is the step that takes the most discipline. I've lost many photos to over or under exposures because I forgot to check and adjust the light meter. Ugh!

Let me know if you have any questions. I'll try to answer them. If I've gotten something wrong, let me know and I'll correct it.

xo, Cindy

Source : Keisha Scarville