Shutter Speed 2: Camera Settings
The last photograph shown is an extreme example of keeping the shutter open for a long period of time as I’m sure the length of road was quite long and the car must have traveled a long distance while the shutter was open. Next we’ll show an example where the shutter speed was open for a shorter period of time. The result is that most of the static elements to the picture remain the same while the movement appears blurred.
As you can see in this picture, the shutter speed was set to a less exaggerated number. We can tell this because the only element in this photograph to have it’s movement captured is the wave. However, we also know that clouds move and in this picture the clouds are very still so we can conclude that either this was a very calm day with little cloud movement and the shutter speed was set to a less exaggerated number which captured only the quick moving waves and not the movement of other slower moving objects such as the clouds.
Another great example of the neat effects that a slower shutter speed can achieve is located below.
Notice in the above photograph all elements are static and unmoving except the water of the fountain. The slower shutter speed allows us to blur the falling of the water which adds a mystical look to the fountain.
A great example of the proper use of shutter speed to capture movement can be seen in the following photograph. Notice how the boxers right hand has captured the movement of his punch while his left hand is still. By setting his shutter speed properly the photographer was able to capture the smallest fast movement within this shot while at the same time freezing the rest of the boxers body. This photograph is great because it captures the movement of the one hand and the one hand only.
Playing with your shutter speed settings allows you to play with movement within a photograph. You can show movement, you can create a mysterious feeling (as in the picture previous) are you can chose to use this effect to created abstract photographs which exaggerate movement throughout the shot. It’s up to you. The possibilities are endless.
On the other hand, a quick shutter speed can freeze even the fastest moving object dead in its tracks. For example a fast shutter speed could stop this falling water droplet and emphasize all of it’s attributes with almost perfect clarity.
With this photograph a slow shutter speed would have resulted in an almost undistinguishable photograph. However a quick shutter speed can freeze fast moving object dead in their tracks. Quick shutter speeds are often used at sporting events, races, or in everyday life when people just won’t sit still but you’ll trying to freeze a moment with minimal or no blurring.
Next we’ll discuss the purpose of the aperture setting.
Other photography pages of interest
Camera automatic settings
Camera shutter speed
Advanced camera shutter speed techniques
How to adjust your camera’s aperture