Blog about Digital Cameras
[19/07/2010] Significance of Shutter Speed for a Digital Photographer
Shutter speed refers to the time frame for which the shutter of the camera remains open and it is one of the main tools in the hands of the photographer for adjusting the exposure of his shots.
The shutter speed of a digital camera is expressed in form of a fraction in which the numerator is a fixed value of 1 while the value of the denominator varies in direct proportion with the speed of the shutter meaning the higher the value, the faster is the speed of the shutter. Usually, all digital cameras feature 1/60th of a second as the minimum shutter speed while there is no fixed upper limit.
The intention behind assigning a fixed minimum value for the shutter speed is that a further reduction would cause a camera shake to occur thus resulting in blurred photographs and it is very seldom that a shutter speed slower than the minimum specified value has been used successfully. This is due to the fact that taking photograph with moving digital camera and open shutter could prove very challenging task even for the most experienced photographers, unless one uses stabilization equipment like a tripod.
The shutter speed, provided in the digital camera is typically designed to double with each setting and you are likely to see options of 1/500, 1/250, 1/125, etc. down to 1/8 on your digital camera. This feature needs to be borne in mind by the photographers especially since the amount of light can be increased by modifying the aperture settings as well. Therefore, in order to acquire the optimum exposure photographers are recommended to increase the shutter speed and decrease the aperture setting by one stop each.
Photographers often face the dilemma regarding the denomination of shutter speed, which would serve the purpose while trying to capture a scene in motion. In this context, the photographer is faced with two choices namely either to freeze the movement and make it appear like a still photograph or capture it with a motion blur, thus giving the photograph a sense of movement.
Likewise, while some photographers revel in capturing movements, others may not be as comfortable in handling motion. In such a situation, a photographer might as well remember that the beauty of motion is captured best by opting for a long shutter speed and using a tripod or any other stabilizing equipment in order to avoid unwanted blurring of photographs.
There are some models of digital cameras, which offer an alternative to normal shutter speed in the form of very slow shutter speed, and there are other models that allow you to shoot in “bulb mode”. While slow shutter speeds are measured in seconds and ideal for shooting in less light, the bulb mode enables the photographer to keep the shutter open for as long as he chooses.
As already mentioned, when it comes to movements you are presented with two choices: use faster shutter speed and freeze the movement (as in the image above) or capture the motion with a bit of a blur (see the image below).
The shutter speed of the digital camera is dependent on the focal length of the lens as well, and the common rule of thumb for the photographer in this regard is that the value of the denominator in the fraction representing the shutter speed should always be greater than the value of focal length of the lens. Constant attention to this factor would prevent the focal length from crossing a certain value which in turn would reduce the incidence of camera shake.
Other articles from this category:
[19/07/2010] Holding a Digital Camera
[19/07/2010] Manipulating Exposure in a Digital Camera
[19/07/2010] The Art of Taking Great Group Photos
[24/07/2010] Children as a Part of Traveling Photography Collection
[24/07/2010] Understanding Aperture and Shutter Speed in an Entry-level Point and Shoot Digital Camera
[27/07/2010] The Art of Taking Great Group Photos
[27/07/2010] Photographic Composition – Planning, Improving and Story Telling
[28/07/2010] Capturing the Splendor of Fireworks Displays
[28/07/2010] Before Taking a Digital Photograph
[08/11/2010] What to Look for to Take Night Photography
[09/11/2010] Exposure and its implication in photography
[09/11/2010] Don't Get Caught Up in Megapixels
