We can capture almost every moment of our life. But to click a better photograph we need to understand some basics of photography. As we know the Exposure Triangle control the overall quality and looks of a picture. Hence, we need to understand them first. In this article, we will take a look at Shutter Speed and its basics.

Shutter Speed is an important segment of the Exposure Triangle. This controls the total length of time for which the camera shutter opens. It is also responsible for the movement captured in the picture.

Basics of Shutter Speed

All three elements of the Exposure Triangle are important. But the Shutter Speed plays a very crucial role. It reflects the opening and closing of the shutter of the camera. A shutter is a small gate on the lens. It opens up when the photographer clicks the shutter button and it collects all the light that is coming from outside.

With the help of this, we can make a photo still. Or it can fill the motion blur in the image. It is also responsible for the overall light present in the image. As it captures the light coming from outside throughout the time when the shutter is open.

It is very useful to capture the beautiful light trails in an image. A longer Shutter Speed helps the light to hit the camera sensor for a longer duration of time. In this way, we get a smooth picture. It is also used by landscape photographers who shoot waterfalls.

[Picture by: Pixabay ]

On the other hand, if we shoot an image and we want to freeze a moving subject then we will use a fast shutter speed. In this way, we can capture any event that is consistently moving like a sports event or a moving vehicle.

[Picture by: Pexels ]

How Shutter Speed affects the quality of a photo

If we are covering a Sports Event and the images are not crisp then it is possible that no one will like our images, Right?. Or if we are trying to capture a beautiful light trail in our image and we are not getting a perfect picture then we will become a bit frustrated. By this, we can easily understand that how much the quality of an image depends on the shutter speed.

As we know, it controls the total time in which the shutter is open. The time when a photographer hits the shutter button it opens the shutter of the lens. Then, light enters the lens and hits the sensors of the lens. The amount of time we set for the Shutter Speed decides the length of time for which the shutter opens.

For example, if we set a longer exposure time then the shutter opens up for a longer period of time, and hence more light will enter the image sensors. And if we set a smaller exposure time then the light enters the image sensor for a fraction of time.

We can set the longer or shorter time according to the need of the image.

Long and Fast Shutter Speed

The range of the Shutter Speed varies in different lenses. But most of the camera lenses get the range from 1/8000s to 30s. If we take a closer look then 1/10s means the 10th fraction of a second and 1/500 means the 500th fraction of a second. Typically, 1/nth amount of time is a faster shutter speed. And any time more than 1 seconds defines as a longer shutter speed.

Also, we have to keep in mind that if we are using a longer time then we must use a tripod. Because a long time will expose the camera sensor for a longer duration of time. And if we do not use a tripod then it might blur the overall image which will degrade the quality of the image.

Using a tripod will also help in situations like while clicking a beautiful waterfall. In this situation, a tripod will be helpful as it will only smooth the motion of the water and also makes the rocks and other objects sharper.

Conclusion

By the time we get an idea of using the Shutter Speed in a great way that will help us in getting beautiful images. Now, we must keep up with our practice so that we will master the overall factors of clicking a perfect picture.

Also Read: How to edit photos like a pro photographer

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