SHUTTER SPEED

There are two main effects to changing your shutter speed:

  • A slower shutter speed brightens the image (lets in more light) and can cause subject movement to blur.

  • Faster shutter speeds makes your photos darker and can freeze movement.

You can compensate for a faster shutter speed by having a larger aperture, and/or increasing the ISO sensitivity of your camera.

On a bright day with a reflective background, a fast shutter may be achieved with a low ISO

Medium to fast shutter speed on a bright day to freeze the water.  Shot with the camera in a waterproof bag

A long exposure at night time, using a tripod to allow in plenty of ambient light

A Long exposure to capture the night light, but short enough to show the tail lights from the car

A fast shutter speed is usually used for sports photography

A tripod with a slow shutter speed to deliberately blur the walkers

Long Zoom lens and fast shutter speed to freeze the dancer

Long exposure, low ISO and a tripod. Notice the ghosted pedestrians to the left of the main entrance.