Shutter Speed

I have briefly mentioned aperture (and let Pioneer Woman's blog do the heavy explanation) so I will follow that outline in a brief discussion about shutter speed. And it just so happens I have the perfect examples from a trip to the ocean this last weekend. I didn't have my tripod available which I highly recommend for slower shutter speeds. More on that in a minute. If you are serious about taking your photography to the next level, it's very important to understand how your camera works. All cameras have a few things in common, but when you really learn your own make and model you will be more able to quickly change settings to get the look you are trying for. And understanding aperture and shutter speed and how they work together is key. There are lots of other settings to learn, but take your time on these, and experiment often, so when an opportunity presents itself to get a picture, you know how to change your settings quickly and get the shot.

So, shutter speed is pretty much what it sounds like. There are "shutters" that expose your sensor (on a digital camera) to light to make the "exposure" or picture. Fast shutter speeds freeze action. They capture droplets of water as they fly through the air.

Slow shutter speeds give a sense of motion. Motion blur, and this effect is especially interesting when the subject is water. As I mentioned, the shutter will be open for longer. Up to a full second if necessary so using a tripod will vastly improve these images, making the stationary objects sharp, while the water takes on a silky, smooth appearance. I did not have a tripod available when I took this shot so it is still possible to get this look while hand holding your camera, but the image may or may not look good when enlarged. (This one doesn't, but as a 5x7 it would look fine.)

Most camera's have aperture priority (A mode) and shutter priority (S mode) as options, and these will help you explore these concepts without having to figure out manual setting (M mode) for now. And to further explain here is another link: http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/2008/10/exposure-illustrated/