Mastering the Basics: Shutter Speed in Digital Photography
From humble beginnings to the contemporary engineering of today, the camera has come a long way in a relatively short space of time. However, much of the basic anatomy of many early cameras has carried through to the present day. The interchangeable metal Waterhouse diaphragm, for example, has evolved into the modern aperture mechanism. This means that many of the concepts used to create a modern photographic image have had a long and enduring history.
Like countless photographic pioneers, photographers today predominantly rely on shutter speed, aperture and ISO to control the outcome of an image in-camera. And while shooting in Auto mode is a useful option, harnessing the basic tools of exposure broadens the scope for creative photography. In this series, we'll have a look at the basics of shutter speed, aperture and ISO - starting here with shutter speed.
Contents
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What Does Exposure Mean in Photography?
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When the shutter button is pressed, the many complex mechanisms inside a camera body trigger to permit a controlled amount of light to reach the sensor, resulting in the recording of an image. Exposure is a phrase that articulates this process in two ways:
it describes the quality of light in a complete photograph eg. overexposure or underexposure, good exposure or bad exposure
it relates to the duration of the shutter speed when the photo is being made eg. a 1-second exposure or a long exposure
There is also a more casual use of the term exposure. In general conversation, making an exposure simply refers to the act of making a photograph.
What is a Good/Bad Exposure?
The definition of good and bad exposures is subjective. However, the general understanding of a good exposure is a photograph with a pleasing balance of light and dark with no unwanted washed-out details or overly dense shadows. A bad exposure has too many qualities deemed undesirable by the photographer or audience - unintended impenetrable shadows or overblown bright features, for example.
What is Shutter Speed?
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When the shutter button is pressed, the shutter inside the camera opens, permitting light through to the camera sensor for a predetermined amount of time. Shutter speed refers to the duration the shutter exposes the sensor to light. This means that the shutter is responsible for two particular things: controlling the brightness/darkness of a photo and creating dramatic effects by freezing action or rendering blurred motion.
How it Works: the Shutter Speed Mechanism
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There are two types of shutters - mechanical and electronic. In mechanical shutters, the two most common configurations are the focal plane shutter and the leaf shutter. The focal-plane shutter is positioned within the camera body, just in front of the sensor. The mechanism works by opening one curtain to begin an exposure and closing another curtain to end it. For slower shutter speeds, a forward curtain in the focal plane shutter opens and the camera sensor is entirely exposed to light. When the set shutter speed time expires, a second curtain closes the sensor off, completing the exposure. Faster shutter speeds are achieved in a focal plane shutter with a travelling slit moving across the sensor, permitting light to be converted into a photographic image in a rapid movement.
Unlike focal plane shutters, leaf shutter configurations are usually located within the lens, rather than inside the body of the camera. Made up of a number of thin, overlapping blades arranged in a circular pattern, the leaf shutter opens up in an oscillating fashion to permit light through to the sensor. Leaf shutters are more compact and durable, but they are typically not capable of reaching shutter speeds as high as modern focal plane shutters.
Electronic shutter systems work a little differently. In basic terms, when the shutter button is depressed, the sensor switches on to commence the exposure line-by-line and switches off again to complete the process. Nevertheless, the duration the sensor is active is still called the shutter speed.
Electronic shutters are silent, have higher shutter speeds and can minimise the camera shake seen with mechanical shutters. However, flash synch speeds are much lower, and they don't perform well under flickering lights.
How is Shutter Speed Expressed?
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On a camera, a selected shutter speed can be viewed on the LCD screen, on the rear monitor and through the viewfinder. Shutter speed is written in seconds or fractions of a second: 1/100, 1/4 and 1/500 for example. Written in long-form 1/100 means one one-hundredth of a second, 1/4 means one-quarter of a second and 1/500 means one five-hundredth of a second.
In-camera, shutter speeds or time values can present differently on the LCD screen from brand to brand. Typically, values ranging from 1/8000s to 1/4s only indicate the denominator of the fractional shutter speed. For example, 1/8000s is indicated as 8000 in-camera while 4 indicates 1/4 of a second.
At slower shutter speeds, the time value or shutter speed is indicated with the double prime symbol:
0"3 - 0.3 seconds 0"4 - 0.4 seconds 0"5 - half a second 0"6 - 0.6 seconds 0"7 - 0.7 seconds 0"8 - 0.8 seconds | 1" - 1 second 1"3 - 1.3 second 1"6 - 1.6 seconds 2" - 2 seconds 2"5 - 2.5 seconds 3"2 - 3.2 seconds |
From around the 3.2 second mark, each value is counted as a rounded number of seconds, from 4, 5, 6 and 8, (expressed as 4", 5", 6" and 8") up to 13, 15, 20, 25 and 30 (expressed as 13", 15", 20" 25"and 30"). So 4" means 4 seconds of exposure, and 30" equates to a 30-second exposure.
How Does Shutter Speed Affect an Image?
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From freezing high-speed jets to capturing star trails, shutter speed impacts the duration a camera sensor is exposed to light. A fast shutter speed can stop movement for sharp renderings of a moment. A slow or long shutter speed records motion for a greater length of time, translating any moving subject into varying degrees of blur. In average conditions, Auto mode will aim to freeze movement as much as possible, creating a visually sharp image. But adjusting the shutter speed manually in Shutter Priority or Manual mode opens up many more opportunities s for creative photography.
Different shutter speeds create different visual outcomes. Faster shutter speeds will freeze motion, while slower shutter speeds record blur from camera movement, camera shake and subject movement. The quicker the shutter speed, the less blur. Some subjects (eg. flowing water) generate unique effects when photographed with a prolonged exposure, while short or fast shutter speeds are ideal for capturing sharp images of subjects in motion. Other techniques like ICM (Intentional Camera Movement) also make use of slow shutter speeds to create abstract renderings of subjects.
Shutter speed also regulates the amount of light that reaches a camera sensor, impacting the overall brightness/darkness of a photograph. A long exposure permits more light to reach the sensor, resulting in a brighter image. For shorter exposures, less light reaches the sensor, so the resulting image will be darker.
In brief: Faster shutter speeds will freeze motion, and slower shutter speeds record blur. A long exposure permits more light to reach the sensor, resulting in a brighter image. For shorter exposures, less light reaches the sensor, so the image will be darker. |
How to Adjust the Shutter Speed on a Camera
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Shutter speed and other modes are selected differently depending on the camera. Switching to Shutter Priority mode enables the manual adjustment of the shutter speed while the camera compensates automatically by setting the Aperture for adequate exposure. In Manual mode, shutter speed and aperture can be adjusted by the photographer for greater control over the image outcome. ISO can be placed in either auto mode or manual mode within Shutter Priority and Manual mode.
Changing Shutter Speed on a Canon Camera
For Canon cameras, TV mode (Shutter Priority) and M (Manual mode) are available on the mode dial. Once in TV mode or M mode, the shutter speed is selected via the Main Dial, and the active shutter speed appears on the LCD panel.
Changing Shutter Speed on a Nikon Camera
To adjust the shutter speed via Manual mode on a Nikon camera, rotate the Mode Dial to M. A specific shutter speed is selected by rotating the command dial (right for faster speeds, left for slower). To use Shutter-Priority Auto, switch the Mode Dial to S. Rotate the command dial to choose the desired shutter speed (rotate right for faster speeds, left for slower speeds).
Changing Shutter Speed on a Sony Camera
To put a Sony camera into Manual or Shutter Priority, turn the mode dial to M or S respectively. Then turn the main dial left or right to increase or decrease the shutter speed.
Automatic Scene Modes
In addition to Manual and Shutter Priority Modes, many cameras also offer specialised camera settings. Automatic scene modes typically include presets designed for action, portraiture, night portraiture, landscapes and macro photography. For example, Action mode or Sport mode boosts ISO and sets a fast shutter speed to capture action shots. However, although these presets are handy, they can often fall short in unique situations where Manual or Shutter Priority modes are more flexible.
Shutter Speed, Aperture and ISO
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Along with shutter speed, aperture and ISO are the other two key components of exposure. The aperture is the opening in a lens through which light passes to enter the camera. A larger aperture opening permits more light but renders less depth of field (less in focus). A smaller aperture reduces the light reaching the sensor but allows for more depth of field (more in focus).
Somewhat confusingly, an aperture with a smaller opening is designated by a larger f-number. An aperture with a larger opening is designated a smaller f-number. So an aperture of f/2.8 is physically larger than the opening in an aperture of f/16.
ISO defines the amplification of information received when light reaches the sensor. A higher ISO value (like ISO 800) amplifies light much more than a low ISO value like ISO 100. However, the higher the ISO value, the noisier or grainier the photograph.
When actively adjusted in conjunction, ISO, aperture and shutter speed can capture images with more authority than in Auto mode. This can be ideal if a photographer needs to manipulate different aspects of an exposure to achieve the desired effect. For example, in a scenario where a faster shutter speed is required for freezing subjects in lower light conditions, increasing the ISO value can amplify the information gathered by the sensor, helping to create a brighter image overall without compromising the shutter speed. In this same scenario, the aperture can also be opened up to permit more light through to the sensor.
Camera Shake
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Shutter speed is often best determined by the situation and the available light. But in conditions that require a longer shutter speed, hand-holding a camera can create blur from physical movements, also known as camera shake. To avoid unwanted blur caused by camera shake, one method is to try not to let the shutter speed dip below the focal length of the lens. For example, when using a zoom lens at 200mm, keep the shutter at 1/250s or above. For a prime 50mm lens, maintain a shutter speed of 1/60s or above.
On a lens with Image Stabilization (IS), Vibration Reduction (VR) or Vibration Control (VC) the shutter speed can be decreased a little lower. Other options for alleviating camera shake in situations that demand a longer exposure include using a flash or other lighting, a tripod and/or a remote camera trigger or shutter release.
Overexposure and Underexposure
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Overexposure occurs when an excessive amount of light makes contact with the sensor, creating overly bright images. In well-lit situations, too much light with a long shutter speed can result in overexposure. For example, making ICM photography relies on longer shutter speeds, so images can become washed out when taken on a sunny day.
There are a couple of ways to ease the effects of overexposure: boost the shutter speed, close the aperture down and/or reduce the ISO. Using a Neutral Density (ND) filter is also useful for cutting down on the light that reaches the sensor during a long exposure, and working in the shade, on overcast days, or in the early morning or evening will help keep details from being lost in overexposure.
Underexposure, the opposite of overexposure, occurs when the shutter speed is set too high, making undesirably dark images. This underexposure occurs because less light is permitted to reach the sensor during a fast exposure, causing murky images. To fix this issue, shoot at a slower shutter speed, adjust lighting (where possible), boost the ISO value and/or open the aperture to capture more light.
Selecting the Right Shutter Speed for the Job
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Shutter speed selection comes down to the available equipment, surrounding conditions, experience and the desired outcome of an image. However, many situations can be pre-empted by referring to recommended shutter speeds as a starting point.
High-Speed Action - 1/4000
High-action subject matter demands rapid shutter speeds. The faster the shutter speed, the sharper the subject. To capture or freeze a fast-moving subject with as little blur as possible, start with a shutter speed of 1/4000s. Scenarios with high-speed subjects in action can include birds in flight, vehicle sports or aircraft displays at air shows. However, a shutter speed like 1/4000s permits very little light to reach the sensor, so aim for well-lit conditions and increase the ISO value and/or open the aperture. Avoid going below 1/1000 when trying to freeze highly active subjects while hand-holding.
Moderately Fast Action - 1/1000
Subjects like athletes in action may not require the shutter speeds needed for high-speed photography. In these situations, starting with a shutter speed of 1/1000s can do the trick, allowing more light to reach the sensor, and facilitating a lower ISO setting for less image noise.
Landscape Photography - 1/250
Landscape photography doesn't demand as higher shutter speeds as action photography because motion is reduced considerably. In sunny conditions at midday, starting with a shutter speed of 1/250s will help gauge the exposure quality of the landscape. If initial shots look overexposed (too bright) then increase the shutter speed value to a higher setting. If the initial shots are underexposed (too dark) then reduce the shutter speed. Aperture and ISO can also be adjusted to accommodate lighting conditions in Manual mode and an ND filter can cut down on light entering the camera, facilitating a longer shutter speed for misty water effects.
Panning Photography - 1/125
Panning involves keeping the lens square with a subject in motion while making an exposure, resulting in a unique rendering of movement. Because panning creates a visual sense of motion through blurred movement, a slower shutter speed is required.
To pan with a faster subject (fast-travelling cars, birds in flight etc) start at a shutter speed of around 1/125s and take a few test shots. For greater motion blur, lengthen the duration of the shutter speed. For less motion blur, decrease the shutter speed. To pan with slower subjects (bike riders, joggers etc), try a shutter speed of 1/60s and go from there.
ICM Photography - 1/15
ICM stands for Intentional Camera Movement. By selecting a slower shutter speed and physically moving the camera during exposure, ICM photographers create intricate abstract renderings of both moving and static subject matter. A shutter speed above 1/125 will reduce blurred motion, so maintain a shutter speed below 1/15 to start with. For more abstraction, lengthen the shutter speed and make incremental test shots. Depending on the lighting conditions, ICM photographers can use shutter speeds as low as 30" to create abstract renderings.
Blurred Water - 1/15
Blurred water effects are popular in landscape photography. To make a blurred water effect in Shutter Priority mode, set up a tripod and camera and make a few test exposures at about 1/15s. From there, increase or decrease the shutter speed depending on the conditions and the desired outcome - the longer the exposure duration, the more abstract the moving water will be.
Waterfalls, rivers and beaches work well as subjects for blurred water photography because they have active aquatic elements that contrast with the rest of a static landscape. Depending on the time of day and weather conditions, having an ND filter on hand can be highly useful, as long exposures without a filter can produce overexposed images.
Light Painting and Car Trails - 1"
Light painting and car trail photography are two ways to make use of bright light sources at night. The darkness isolates illuminated subjects so light sources take on a life of their own. Light painting involves moving a light source around within the view of the camera over the duration of a long exposure. Light painting photographers usually work at night, although places that are shielded from daylight like caves or sheds are also adequate. Sparklers, flaming steel wool, torches, glow sticks, fire poi and LED lights are all good sources of illumination for light painting.
Car trails are captured as cars pass through landscapes at night. A photographer sets up near a roadway and uses a long exposure to record the glowing headlights and tail lights of cars and trucks. Aircraft lights or bike lights can also be photographed at night to a similar effect.
Long exposure is required to capture both light painting and car trails. A shutter speed of 1" is a good start, with a gradual decrease of shutter speed guided by test shots. Like ICM, it's not uncommon to decrease a shutter speed to as low as 30" to get the full effect of car trail photography.
Star Trail Photography - Bulb Mode
Star trail photography is the photography of stars as they appear to shift in the night sky. By using an extended exposure, the camera tracks the paths of the stars as the Earth rotates. There are two ways to make star trail photography, the first is to record the stars' movement with a long exposure. The second method involves blending a significant number of photographs taken over time to create a final star trail image in editing.
To make a star trail photograph in-camera, many photographers use a camera's Bulb function. Typical exposures for star trail photography can range from 15 minutes to several hours, depending on the desired length of the star trail arcs, so a mechanism is needed to keep the shutter open for prolonged periods of time. With Manual mode engaged, Bulb is selected by scrolling through the lower limits of the shutter speed range in-camera. An aperture of around f/2.8 to f/5.6 and an ISO value from ISO 640 are good starting points.
Like any other shutter setting, the Bulb exposure then is initiated by pressing the shutter button. Depending on the camera system, Bulb will either keep the shutter open until the photographer presses the shutter again, or the limitations of the camera system are reached. Some camera configurations will only permit Bulb exposures up to 30 minutes, while others will last as long as the battery life of the camera. A shutter release cable or remote can also be used to open and subsequently close the shutter without bumping the camera mid-exposure.
Shutter Speed with Flash
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A flash provides a burst of light that lasts for a fraction of a second, somewhere in the area of 1/1000s or faster. However, due to the nature of standard focal-plane shutters, a photographer will generally only be able to use shutter speeds up to 1/250s unless high-speed sync (HSS) capabilities are equipped.
In flash photography, the shutter speed affects the amount of ambient light captured in an image, while the aperture and ISO dictate the intensity of the flash. Shooting at night without a flash usually renders overly dark results. Adding a single flash will illuminate a subject and foreground with a standard exposure of 1/250s, but the background will remain dark. However, a reduced shutter speed will often enable a photographer to coax more visual information out of a background, capturing ambient light while the flash illuminates the foreground and subject. This is useful for light painting or recording a sharp foreground and a balanced background in low light conditions. By slowing the shutter speed, the camera will record ambient light as well as the subject frozen by the flash activation. This method is called dragging the shutter.
Another way to apply the shutter drag method is to create ghost-like portraits. Light and compose a sitter under a flash with a modelling light in an otherwise darkened studio. Take some test shots to determine the aperture for adequate shadows and highlights. Set the shutter speed for around 1 second. Instruct the subject to begin moving as soon as the shutter is fired and take a photograph. The longer the shutter speed, the more movement is recorded after the flash. This shutter drag method captures a sharp likeness of the portrait sitter - but as the illumination of the flash dies and the exposure continues, the movements of the sitter will render a ghostly double-exposure effect in-camera.
How to Determine the Right Shutter Speed
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The best way to determine the right shutter speed depends on the desired outcome of an image. In digital photography, a photographer can make test shots to immediately determine the right exposure for an image. However, knowing the basics of shutter speed manipulation will boost the rate of successful photographs and cut down on prep time.
Plan
Whether in the field or planning weeks in advance, the first step to determining shutter speed is visualization. Visualization is when abstract ideas knit together to inform artistic action. Consider motion, brightness, darkness, sharpness and depth of field. How should movement be conveyed within a still medium like photography? What equipment is needed? Should the image be bright, dark, or an even average? For example, a tack-sharp image of a dewdrop on a flower petal in the bright morning light requires a faster exposure combined and a smaller aperture depending on the desired depth of field.
On the other end of the spectrum, capturing the light trails of cars travelling down a highway at night demands a much longer shutter speed. While some photographic opportunities occur unexpectantly, much of the foundation of photographic practice comes down to at least some degree of planning.
Making a Photograph - Shutter Priority
In Shutter Priority, the aperture will be set automatically for a balanced exposure depending on the selected shutter speed. Consult the above guide for a rough starting shutter speed, make a test shot and consult the rear monitor. If the image is too bright or overexposed, increase the shutter speed for a shorter exposure, and/or decrease the ISO value.
In very bright light, consider using an ND filter, or working at a darker time of day or in overcast conditions. If the image is too dark or underexposed, adjust the shutter speed for a longer exposure, and/or increase the ISO value. In very low light, using a flash can also help create a well-exposed photograph. Try ISO 100 on a bright day, ISO 400 on an overcast day, ISO 800 when indoors, and an ISO of 1600 or more in very low-light conditions.
Making a Photograph - Manual Mode
Sometimes, a greater degree of control over exposure is required. Manual mode allows a photographer to toggle both the aperture and shutter speed, as well as the ISO. Unlike Shutter Priority, Manual mode gives a photographer the ability to operate each of the camera settings individually.
If a shutter speed seems inadequate in test exposures, adjust the aperture manually to reduce or increase light. To create a brighter image while keeping a particular shutter speed, increase the aperture diameter (smaller number). To make a darker image while maintaining the same shutter speed setting, shrink the aperture diameter (larger number).
In addition, the ISO value can be increased or reduced to help with underexposure/overexposure issues while retaining the selected shutter speed. Increasing the ISO value results in a brighter image while reducing the ISO makes a darker effect.
When to Change Shutter Speed
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The signal to change shutter speed lies in the desired outcome of a photograph, the conditions and the technical constraints of the camera. If a test shot looks undesirably dark, it's a cue to set a longer shutter speed. If a test shot looks overly bright, adjust to a shorter shutter speed. If more motion blur is required, lower the shutter speed and if a sharp rendering is ideal, boost the speed of the shutter.
A successful shutter speed is also tied to the aperture and ISO. For example, if a set aperture is required, adjusting the shutter speed to permit or restrict light is useful. Maintaining a low shutter ISO may also require a longer shutter speed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shutter Speed
Q: Why does shutter speed matter?
From ICM photography to frozen motion, shutter speed is important for both technical and creative reasons. Shutter speed regulates the brightness/darkness of an image as well as the rendering of motion. The faster the shutter speed, the darker the image and the sharper the subject. The slower the shutter speed, the lighter the image and the greater the amount of motion blur.
Q: Why are my images too Bright/white/washed out?
When an image is too bright or washed out it means the picture is overexposed. Overexposure is often caused by choosing a shutter speed that spans too long for the lighting conditions. To reduce the effects of overexposure, increase the shutter speed to cut down on the light that reaches the sensor during exposure and/or shrink the aperture to allow less light through to the sensor (ie. f/1.4 to f/5.6). In addition, you can reduce the ISO sensitivity, adjust lighting conditions or use an ND filter when working in bright conditions to cut down on the light that reaches the sensor.
Q: Why are my images too dark/black?
A photograph that looks too dark and flat is underexposed. This is often caused when the shutter speed is too fast for a scenario. The shorter time the shutter speed is open, the less exposed an image will be because less light meets the sensor. To create brighter images, increase the duration of the shutter speed (ie. 1/250 s to 1/125s) and/or open the aperture to allow more light through to the sensor (ie. f/5.6 to f/1.4). You can also increase the sensitivity of the ISO value, switch or adjust lighting (if possible) and/or use flash.
Q: How can I reduce camera shake?
Unwanted camera shake occurs when a camera is moved during the exposure. This can happen when hand-holding a camera over a longer exposure, or otherwise moving the camera as it records a scene. To reduce the unwanted shake caused by hand-holding, use a tripod and select the fastest shutter speed possible. In a given situation, increasing the ISO value a little will allow for a faster shutter speed in low light.
To avoid unwanted blur caused by camera shake, another method used by photographers is to stop the shutter speed from dipping below the focal length of the lens. For example, when using a zoom lens at 200mm, keep the shutter at 1/250s or above. For a prime 50mm lens, maintain a shutter speed of 1/60s or above. On a lens with Image Stabilization (IS), Vibration Reduction (VR) or Vibration Control (VC) the shutter speed can be decreased a little lower.
Q: How does ISO affect shutter speed?
In digital photography, the ISO value refers to the signal gain from a camera's sensor. A low ISO rating (eg. 100) results in a darker image than a higher ISO rating (eg. 1000) This means that a higher ISO value can help contribute to brighter images, compensating for a faster shutter speed selection.
A faster shutter speed reduces light reaching the sensor so ISO can be used to balance an exposure in darker conditions. The trade-off is that higher ISO values create more noise or grain in an image, which can appear unsightly in high amounts.
Q: How does shutter speed affect depth of field?
Shutter speed does not have a direct effect on depth of field. Depth of field is the zone within a photograph that is acceptably sharp and in focus. A shallow depth of field has a small zone of focus, whilst a deep depth of focus exhibits a uniform sharpness throughout the photograph.
The degree of focus within a given image is dictated by aperture, not shutter speed. However, changing aperture shifts how much light reaches a sensor during exposure. This means that if a particular aperture is desired, shutter speed (and ISO) may need to be adjusted to create a well-exposed and sharp photograph.
Q: How does shutter speed affect blur?
Shutter speed dictates how subject movement and camera motion appear in a photograph. The slower or longer the shutter speed, the more motion blur manifests in an image.
While a fast shutter speed may freeze a moving subject such as a car or a travelling cyclist, a slower shutter speed will render the movement of a subject in varying degrees of blur. In this way, slow shutter speeds can be useful for creative photography that involves panning, ICM and/or light painting and other applications that can visually express motion through blur.
Q: What should I set my shutter speed to?
Shutter speed is determined by environment, technology and creative goals. It's impossible to choose just the one shutter speed to cover every single event or scene. That said, there are some shutter speed settings to use as a reference point in some scenarios.
When hand-holding a camera, the rough rule of thumb is to choose a shutter speed equal to your focal length. If you are shooting with a 200mm lens, for example, keep the shutter speed at 1/200s or above. This can minimise the amount of blur caused by camera shake - though it's not a hard and fast rule.
In other scenarios, like ICM photography, a shutter speed set to around 1/25s is a good starting point. Light painting and car trails will often work best at a slow shutter speed, starting at around 1s, while landscapes with bodies of water that a photographer intends to blur are often initiated with a shutter speed of around 1/15s. Star trails are usually set to Bulb mode while very fast action shots require a shutter speed of around 1/4000s.
These are starting shutter values, and they depend on the weather, equipment, creative goals, aperture and ISO settings, subject movement etc. Nevertheless, having a rough initial shutter speed can be useful as an entry point when met with a potential subject or scenario.
Q: When Should I use Shutter Priority?
Shutter Priority is a camera setting that enables the user to manually set the shutter speed while the camera controls the aperture for acceptable exposure. Select Shutter Priority mode when the shutter speed is the most critical factor in capturing a scene.
When freezing motion, emphasizing speed or capturing blur are the key to achieving the desired image, use Shutter Priority. Shutter Priority is also useful for panning or reducing camera shake when a tripod is not available. Speeds below 1/125s are generally more susceptible to camera shake, so a boost in shutter speed in Shutter Priority mode can be useful for minimizing unwanted blur as much as possible.
Q: When Should I use Manual Mode?
Manual mode allows a photographer to adjust both the aperture and shutter speed for exposure. Unlike Shutter Priority, Manual mode gives a photographer the ability to operate both aperture and shutter speed independently. Working in the studio or making macro photography are two scenarios where a photographer would commonly use Manual mode for complete control over an exposure-outcome.
References
Manual of Photography - Camera-wiki.org - Great Photography Techniques - The Landscape Photography Book
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Megan Kennedy is a writer and multidisciplinary artist based in Canberra, Australia. More of her work can be viewed on her website or Instagram.
