Camera settings, no longer intimidating! Understand shutter speed and shoot like a pro.

 

Does camera shutter speed seem too difficult? In this article, I'll teach you everything you need to know about shutter speed and how to take amazing photos like a professional.

When you first picked up a camera, you were probably disappointed by the photos, which were too dark or shaky. It's especially frustrating when you try to capture a dynamic moment only to find that the photos you take are ghost photos, with only afterimages. Are you finding the concept of shutter speed too complicated and only shooting in automatic mode? Don't worry! By the end of this article, you'll learn what shutter speed is and how to adjust it to create the photos you want—all in a fun and easy way. 😊

 

Shutter Speed, What Exactly Is It? 📸

Simply put, shutter speed refers to the time that the camera takes in light. It refers to the speed at which the "shutter" inside the camera opens and closes. The longer this time, the more light comes in, resulting in a brighter photo. Conversely, the shorter this time, the less light comes in, resulting in a darker photo. This speed is usually expressed as '1/1000th of a second', '1/60th of a second', '1 second', etc. The lower the number, the longer the shutter is open.

 

The Relationship Between Shutter Speed ​​and Photography (feat. Light and Movement)

• Control the amount of light: In dark places, use a slow shutter speed (long exposure) to capture enough light.
• Express movement: This is the real key! Depending on your shutter speed, you can freeze the subject's movement or create a flowing effect.

Ultimately, understanding shutter speed allows you to capture not only brightness adjustments but also the magical effect of freezing or slowing down time in your photos.

 

Fast Shutter Speed: The Magic of Freezing a Moment 🧊

'High-speed shutter speed' literally means the shutter opens and closes very quickly. It's usually expressed as a large denominator, like 1/500th of a second, 1/1000th of a second.

Examples of High-Speed ​​Shutter Speed ​​📝

• Sports Photography: Capture the moment a soccer player kicks the ball or a basketball player jumps, with unwavering clarity.
• Animal Photography: Capture every single hair on a fast-moving bird or dog with clarity.
• Fountain Photography: Create breathtaking photos where each water droplet appears suspended in mid-air.

⚠️ Caution!
If your shutter speed is too fast, your photo may turn out dark because not enough light is coming in. In this case, you should either lower the aperture (f-stop) (open it further) or increase the ISO sensitivity to capture more light.

 

Slow Shutter Speed: The Art of Capturing the Passage of Time 🕰️

'Slow shutter speed' refers to a slow shutter opening. It usually refers to a long time, such as 1/30th of a second, 1/15th of a second, or more.

Examples of Using Slow Shutter Speeds 📝

• Waterfalls, Rivers: Create long exposure photos that make water appear to flow as smoothly as silk.
• Night Scenes: Create beautiful light trails, where car headlights or streetlights create long, flowing lines.
• Star Photos: Star trail photos, where stars move in the night sky, are a prime example of slow shutter speeds.

💡 Tip!
A tripod is a must when using slow shutter speeds! The camera is very Even the slightest shake can cause the entire photo to come out blurry. If you don't have a tripod, try securing your camera to a stable surface nearby (a bench, the floor, etc.).

 

Finding the Right Shutter Speed ​​for You: A Guide for Each Situation 🗺️

So, what shutter speed should you use in which situation? Honestly, there's no right answer, but there are some guidelines for beginners. The most important thing is to get a feel for the camera by referring to the table below and playing around with it yourself!

Shooting situation	Recommended shutter speed	Photo effect
Still landscape, People	1/125 seconds or faster	Shaky, clear photos
Walking people, pets	1/250 seconds or faster	The moment movement stops Capture
Sports, Birds in Flight	More than 1/1000 second	Perfectly frozen dynamic moments
Waterfalls, Night Scenes	Less than 1/30 second (Tripod required)	Soft waves, traces of light

 

💡

Shutter speed key summary!

High-speed shutter: Freeze fast movement, capture the moment

Slow shutter: Express the passage of time, long exposure

Photo brightness: The slower the shutter speed (the longer it is open), the the photo will be. Brightening

Usage Tips: A tripod is essential for slow-motion photography

Now, don't be afraid of shutter speed and use it freely! ✨

 

Frequently Asked Questions ❓

Q: How does shutter speed relate to aperture and ISO?

A: It's one of the three factors that determine the brightness of a photo (the three exposure factors). If the shutter speed is slow and more light is let in, you'll need to close the aperture (increase the F-number) or lower the ISO to achieve a balanced brightness.

Q: I want to take night-scene photos. What settings are good?

A: Because night scenes are dark, I recommend a "long exposure" with a shutter speed of 1 second or longer. In this case, the most important thing is to keep the camera steady.

Q: What is 'Bulb Mode'?

A: Bulb Mode is a mode where the shutter remains open as long as the shutter button is pressed. You can freely adjust the shutter speed from tens of seconds to tens of minutes, so it's often used for taking photos of star trails or fireworks.

Now, I hope your vague fears about shutter speed have dissipated a little. The most important thing is to pick up your camera and experiment with different shutter speeds to find your own unique feel. There's no right way to take photos, so have fun shooting! If you have any further questions, feel free to ask in the comments. 😊