Unit Four : The Exposure Triangle
Chelsea London © 2019. Fujifilm X100F | 23.0 mm | ƒ/11 | 1.5s | ISO 200 | HandheldShutter Speed
We’re going to start our introduction to the settings with shutter speed. In simple terms, it is the amount of time that your camera's shutter stays open when you take a photo. It controls how long light is allowed to reach the camera's sensor.
Shutter speed is measured in seconds or fractions of a second (e.g., 1/1000 of a second, 1/250 of a second, 1 second). A faster shutter speed (like 1/1000) means the shutter opens and closes quickly. A slower shutter speed (like 1 second) means the shutter is open longer. The longer the shutter is open, the more light that is let in, resulting in brighter images. But, of course it’s not that simple. If the shutter is open, letting in light, it also is continuously recording what’s in front of the lens.
Chelsea London © 2015. Nikon D7000 | 200.0 mm | ƒ/9 | 1s | ISO 160Shutter Speed Values
Shutter speeds are represented in seconds or fractions of a second. Common values include 1/1000s, 1/500s, 1/250s, 1/125s, 1/60s, 1/30s, and so on - full seconds is also an option. Faster shutter speeds, such as 1/1000s or 1/500s, allow the shutter to open and close very quickly, reducing the time the sensor is exposed to light. This has two main effects: light has less time to hit the sensor/film and there is less time for movement to be recorded. Slower shutter speeds, like 1/30s or 1/15s, result in a longer exposure time, allowing more light to reach the sensor. As you can guess this has the opposite effect of a shorter exposure time - more time for light to hit the sensor/film, and more time for movement to be recorded.
The real question is how does that function in a practical sense. Controlling the length of time the shutter is open gives the opportunity for both creative decisions and for combatting difficult lighting situations. Longer shutter speeds can introduce motion blur, create smooth-looking water, and opens us up to more advanced techniques like panning. Shorter shutter speeds can freeze action like an athlete jumping, rain drops falling, or cars speeding passed.