Session 5 Shutter Speed (Basic Photography Class)

SPEED MATTERS Basic Photography Class

Mass Communication Department Ateneo de Davao University

Bong S. Eliab

What is a shutter speed?

§  shutter speed is the time for which the shutter is held open during the taking of a photograph to allow light to reach the film (on analog cameras) or image sensor (on digital cameras)

Regulates Light

§  In combination with variation of the lens aperture, the shutter speed regulates how much light the camera will record.

Shutter Speed & Aperture §  For a given exposure, a

fast shutter speed demands a larger aperture or more light to avoid under-exposure, just as a slow shutter speed is offset by a very small aperture to avoid over-exposure.

§  Long shutter speeds are often used in low light conditions, such as at night.

Shutter Speed and Aperture

Iris Shutter Mechanism

Plate Mechanism

dSLRs Mechanism

Where to find the shutter speed dials

dSLRs LCD Display

Freeze Action vs. Capture Motion

§  Two main issues:

§  Freeze the subject or the camera movement, or both;

§  Capture the subject’s motion, or camera shake, or both.

Speed Difference §  Shot at 1/15th of a

second using a tripod (see how the water makes long soft streaks)

§  Shot at 1/250th (even at this slow speed already it freezes the drops in the air)

Freezing Movement

§  High shutter speeds 'freeze' the subject’s movement as the subject has little time to move during the exposure.

Blue Eagle Gym © Circa 1992

Capturing Moving Colors

A photo of dark street at night (exposure time 20 seconds)

Panning/ Slow Shutter Speed

Slow shutter speed combined with panning the camera can achieve a motion blur for moving objects.

Camera Shake

§  Slow shutter speed can result in 'camera shake', caused by the photographer’s inability to hold the camera still.

§  Generally, shooting at less than 1/60th of a second may result in camera shake. To avoid this, a tripod can be used.

Handheld Rule and Blur

To avoid motion blurring, the shutter speed (in sec. ) should equal the reciprocal of the chosen focal length (in mm), i.e. 1/60sec for 60mm.

Bulb Shutter Speed

Remote Controls

Shutter Speed Speed Remarks

1 1 second, very slow, tripod needed

2 1/2th of a second, tripod needed

4 1/4th of a second, tripod needed

8 1/8th of a second, tripod needed

15 1/15 of a second, tripod/very steady hand needed

30 1/30th of a second, tripod /very steady hand needed

60 Slowest shutter speed that can be handheld with 50 mm lens

Shutter Speed

Speed Remarks 125 1/125, generally handheld

250 1/250

500 1/500

1000 Very fast, freezes all movement

Shutter Speed Combinations

Motion Effect

Nude Photo Exercise © Circa 2005

Sinugba sa Dagat

Sparks coming from coals (exposure time 15 seconds)

JP Laurel Hub 24 hrs

Richard Amora © Davao City 2007

Rorschach Smoke Test

ISO 100, 1/60 sec, f/8

Silky Waterfall

Davao’s Octane Bar

Bong S. Eliab © Davao City 2006

Hinubog Driving

Manila © Circa 2005

Boracay’s Dancing Candle

Bong S. Eliab © Boracay 2007

Sound of Boracay Light

Bong S. Eliab © Boracay 2007