Table of Contents
Advertisement
Concepts in Photography
Shutter speed
Shutter speed refers to the amount of time it takes to open and close the
shutter. It controls the amount of light which passes through the aperture
before it reaches the image sensor.
Shutter speeds are measured in seconds and parts of a second. On
many cameras, the shutter speeds are approximately halved with each
succeeding setting - 1 s, 1/2 s, 1/4 s, 1/8 s, 1/15 s, etc. Like successive
aperture settings, each successive shutter speed setting lets in about half
the amount of light. Consequently, each successive shutter speed setting
equals an EV (Exposure Value) change of about 1 EV.
+1 EV
Exposure
1 s
1/2 s
1/4 s
Shutter speed
-1 EV
1/8 s
1/15 s
1/30 s
Therefore, the faster the shutter speed, the less light will be let in. Likewise,
the slower the shutter speed, the more light will be let in.
A slow shutter speed allows more light into the camera to make photos
brighter. However, because the shutter is open longer, moving subjects
appear blurred. A fast shutter speed allows less light in to make photos
darker. However, because the shutter is open for a shorter time, moving
subjects look sharper and more focused.
1 s
1/250 s
19
Advertisement
Table of Contents
