cover image by 永田 仁二／ShinjiNagata
The shutter speed of a camera is fundamental to photographic expression. By understanding the basics, you can broaden your expressive range. In this article, we will clearly explain the basics of shutter speed, including specific examples and shooting scenes.
What is Shutter Speed?
Shutter speed refers to the amount of time the camera's shutter is open. The longer the time, the more light hits the sensor, and the shorter the time, the less light hits the sensor. Shutter speed is typically displayed as "1 second", "1/100 second", "1/1000 second", etc.
Basic Usage of Shutter Speed
Fast Shutter Speed
Fast shutter speeds (1/1000 second, 1/2000 second, 1/4000 second) are recommended for capturing moving subjects. You can capture the moment of movement without missing it when photographing running people, athletes in action, or energetic dogs and cats.
Image by akira
Image by Pojio
Slow Shutter Speed
Slow shutter speeds (1/2 second, 1/15 second, 1/30 second) allow for fluid expression by intentionally blurring the movement of the subject. When capturing lights in a night scene or the flow of a river with a slow shutter speed, you can beautifully capture the flow of light or water. Using a tripod is recommended to keep the background from blurring.
Image by Z K
Image by aoneko355
How to Set Shutter Speed
If set to auto mode, the camera automatically sets the shutter speed, but to take photos as you intend, it is recommended to use manual mode to set the shutter speed. By switching the camera settings to manual (M) mode and turning the shutter speed dial, you can easily change the shutter speed. Experimenting according to each scene is also one of the pleasures of photography.
Image by はくらく
Conclusion
Shutter speed is the first step to improving your photography skills. Even beginners can take professional photos with practice. Try various shutter speeds with your camera to expand your shooting range!
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